Bond granted to Augusta man Matthew B. Stewart, 33, facing charges of bestiality, child pornography

GEORGIA -- A retired judge granted bond Thursday for an Augusta man Matthew B. Stewart, 33, who, investigators said, has a child pornography collection that contains photos he took of a 12-year-old child.

Sitting in for the eight active Su­perior Court judges Thursday, Se­nior Judge William M. Fleming Jr. set a $125,000 bond for Matthew B. Stewart, 33, who is charged with bestiality and two counts of computer pornography and the child exploitation act.

Stewart came to the attention of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after his Internet Protocol address was flagged when child porn was downloaded on his computer July 15, Assis­tant District Attorney Garon Muller said.

A search warrant served at Stew­art’s home revealed more than 4,000 images of child porn and 100 videos ranging from undressed children to children engaged in sexual acts with adults and children being tortured, Muller said. The investigator said Stewart said his preferred age range is 13 to 16, Mul­ler said.

Among the photographs were pictures of one of two girls who have reported that Stewart sexually molested them, Muller said. Charges of child molestation and aggravated child molestation are expected to be filed, he said.

Investigators have evidence that Stewart shared his collections through a file-sharing program, Mul­ler said. Also in the collection are pictures of Stewart engaged in sex acts with a dog, Muller said. When questioned, Stewart was nonchalant about the photos, Muller said.

Defense attorney Shawn Merzlak asked Fleming to grant Stewart bond, saying he wasn’t a flight risk. Stewart had no criminal record. He has maintained a steady job since graduating from high school and Augusta Technical College. He has family support, Merzlak said.

Although allegations of child molestation have been made in Aiken County, authorities there have taken no action since the allegations were made in September, Merzlak said. In addition, the Richmond County Department of Family and Children Services closed its investigation of Stewart’s family, finding there was no danger to his underage stepson.

Fleming set the $125,000 bond and, at the prosecutor’s urging, imposed certain conditions: no contact with any child or animals, no Internet access and he is to live with his parents and submit to electronic monitoring.

(Online Athens - Jan 9, 2016)