Elgin man who sexually assaulted woman at knifepoint sentenced to 50 years in prison – Chicago Tribune

An Elgin man who sexually assaulted an acquaintance at knifepoint was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Zanzibah T. Stewart, 45, of the 1300 block of Fairwood Drive, was found guilty in a jury trial in January of the Nov. 8, 2020, assault in which he threatened the victim with a knife and held her against her will and then sexually assaulted her, according to a news release from the Kane County District Attorney’s Office.

Stewart was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault (a Class X felony), three counts of sexual assault (a Class 1 felony), and one count of aggravated false imprisonment (a Class 3 felony).

The verdict was handed down by Judge John Barsanti of Kane County.

Under state law, Stewart must serve 85% of the first 48 years of his sentence for the first six counts and is eligible for day-to-day sentencing for the other two years of his sentence for the seventh count, the release said. He will receive credit for the 1,304 days he spent in custody at the Kane County Jail and must register as a sex offender for life.

“This is justice,” Assistant District Attorney Amanda Busljeta said in a statement. “The 50-year sentence ensures that the defendant can never harm the victim or any innocent person again. I hope this also sends a clear message that this horrific criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”