A Douglas County judge denied bond to a Utah man accused of luring and sexually assaulting an Omaha kid.
Prosecutors allege that Marcus Stewart, 22, sent sexually explicit content to a 10-year-old girl via social media before driving to Omaha to meet her in person.
Stewart made his initial appearance before a Douglas County judge on Friday.
“On or about June 12, 2024, the victim was 11 years old and met the defendant on Snapchat,” Douglas County prosecutor Chris McMahon told the court Friday. “The defendant was 21 years old at the time. The defendant lives in Utah. The defendant urged the victim to provide sexual images and videos of the victim.”
Stewart faces four felony accusations, including first-degree sexual assault of a child and sexual assault with a communication device.
In court, prosecutors called Stewart’s alleged actions as terrible. According to Project Harmony, a local organization dedicated to child protection, online exploitation of minors is becoming increasingly common.
“These social media platforms are ever-changing, and now that AI is involved, it’s becoming increasingly easy to create profiles of people who are not who they claim to be,” said Angela Roeber, Project Harmony’s chief communication officer.
According to court filings, Stewart and the victim spoke over Snapchat and TikTok. Communication Project Harmony stated that parents and caregivers must watch.
“It is critical that we are stepping in and we are monitoring the use of the online devices that our children have and that we know who they are talking to,” said Roeber.
According to the group, there are materials available to help parents learn how to navigate the social media platforms that their children use.
“There are sites like Common Sense Media or NetSmarts that have done a lot of the legwork for parents, caregivers, even educators on helping them utilize and understand how to use these apps,” Roeber told me.
According to court filings, Stewart allegedly informed the victim he was 17 years old, while the victim initially told Stewart she was 14 years old but eventually acknowledged to being 10 years old at the time.
“Victim stated she went along with the messages and the pictures and videos due to not wanting to upset the defendant,” according to McMahon.
According to Project Harmony, this is a typical fear among children in similar situations.
“There’s fear, there’s embarrassment, there’s a lot that plays into it, and coming forward and sharing what has happened,” Roeber went on.
Despite confessing her true age, evidence shows Stewart did not stop communicating with the victim. Court filings also state that 26 sexually graphic photographs and 29 films of the victim were obtained on Stewart’s Snapchat, but prosecutors claim the contact was not purely virtual.
“Defendant drove to Omaha from Utah,” McMahon explained. “Met up with the victim at a church parking lot.”
According to Project Harmony, conversations with kids about how to detect inappropriate or harmful circumstances online should begin as soon as a child has access to a device, and parents should always ensure that children understand that stating the truth will not get them in trouble.
“We want to make sure that we are keeping that door open for communication, that we are having ongoing conversations,” Roeber told me. “If they feel like they’re going to be in trouble, then they’re not going to come to you when something doesn’t feel right, or maybe something has gone a little too far.”
Stewart waived his preliminary hearing, and his attorney argued that the bond should be set because Stewart does not have a criminal record, but the judge refused the release and ordered Stewart not to contact the claimed victim or anybody under the age of 19.