Sheriff's Deputy Evan Duckett escorts Stewart into the Cherokee County Jail after Stewart was found guilty of sex crimes

A Cherokee County Jury deliberated for nearly six and a half hours on Thursday before announcing their verdict following the two-day criminal trial of a Columbus man who had been accused of multiple sex crimes against a child.

Brian Stewart, age 38, was found guilty on one count of Rape and five counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child. The charges stem from Stewart's criminal conduct which occurred on multiple occasions between March and late August, 2016.

After the verdict was read, the Judge ordered Stewart to be remanded to the Cherokee County Jail and announced his sentencing will be held on March 8th, 2024.

Stewart was prosecuted by Cherokee County Attorney Kurt Benecke.