Missouri Judge Officiates Marriage Between Statutory Rape Defendant and Victim, Wife Later Vacates Guilty Plea

A federal court case in Missouri reveals an extraordinary legal saga. In 2009, Stewart pleaded guilty to statutory rape of a 13-year-old when he was 17. His defense attorney, William Carter, negotiated the plea. Years later, Carter—now a judge—officiated Stewart's marriage to the victim, with whom Stewart had six children. In 2022, Stewart was charged with violating lifetime GPS supervision conditions. Judge Carter presided over the case for eight months before it was transferred. Stewart's public defender then directed him to call Judge Carter's wife, Kimberly Carter, who entered an appearance and filed a motion to withdraw Stewart's guilty plea, arguing it was based on misinformation from her husband. In July 2023, a different judge granted the motion, vacating Stewart's conviction and removing all sex offender registration and supervision requirements. Stewart subsequently sued Pemiscot County alleging a conspiracy to cover up the original plea agreement terms.