Bond Denied for Convicted Felon Accused of Possessing Firearm and Cocaine

Lemont Stewart of Aurora has been charged with single felony counts of Armed Habitual Criminal, Armed Violence, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

“FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH, A DUPAGE COUNTY JUDGE HAS GRANTED OUR MOTION AND DENIED BOND FOR A CONVICTED FELON ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A HANDGUN,” BERLIN SAID.

AURORA - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross announced today that an Aurora man with an active arrest warrant will be held without bond after he was allegedly found in possession of a handgun and approximately thirteen grams of cocaine. Lemont Stewart, 43 (d.o.b. 12/20/1978) of the 400 block of W. Downer Place, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Brian Telander granted the State’s motion and ordered he be held without bond. Stewart has been charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Armed Violence (Class X Felony) one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Misdemeanor Resisting a Police Officer.

On July 21, 2022, patrol officers with the Aurora Police Department observed a car pulling out of the Super 8 hotel located on Longmeadow Drive. It is alleged that one of the officers recognized the individual in the front passenger seat as Stewart, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. It is alleged that the officers pulled their car next to the defendant’s car at which time the defendant immediately exited the car and began running. After a brief foot chase, officers took Stewart into custody. Five live 9mm bullets were allegedly found in Stewart’s pants pocket at this time. When searching the vehicle, officers also allegedly found a firearm with a loaded magazine in a backpack. It is further alleged that Stewart gave the driver of the vehicle approximately thirteen grams of cocaine to hide for him before he fled the vehicle.

“For the second time this month, a DuPage County judge has granted our motion and denied bond for a convicted felon accused of illegal possession of a handgun,” Berlin said. “The law is crystal clear, as a convicted felon, Mr. Stewart is prohibited from ever possessing a firearm again and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that would allow him to do so, as alleged in this case. I thank the Aurora Police Department for their vigilant efforts on this case that allegedly took a dangerous weapon out of the hands of a convicted felon. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Lee Roupas and Kelly McKay for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Stewart.”

“We have zero tolerance for felons in possession of a gun, especially in the hands of a man convicted of shooting one of our officers in 2002,” Cross said. “I want to commend our officers for spotting the suspect, safely taking him into custody and taking an illegal gun off our streets. I also want to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s office for their assistance in helping us keep our community safe.”

Stewart’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 17, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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