New Jersey Man Sentenced to 155 Months on Kidnapping Charges

An Elizabeth, New Jersey man was sentenced today to 155 months in federal prison after having pleaded guilty in August, 2018, to a charge of kidnapping, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Trace Rod Stewart, 50, was sentenced before United States District Judge Judith Levy.  He was ordered to serve 155 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay 6,000 dollars in restitution.

According to court records, during the middle of the night on October 20, 2017, the victim awoke to Stewart leaning over her with a gasoline can.  Stewart punched her in the face and forced her into a vehicle using a knife, stealing her keys, cellular phone, and credit card.  For the next nine hours, Stewart drove the victim to New Jersey without telling her where they were going or allowing her to use the restroom.  He threatened to light the container of gasoline and blow them both up if the police got behind them and refused to take her home.

Stewart’s criminal activity spans a period of 26 years.  Most of his prior offenses involve violence against women.  Stewart has several prior convictions, one of them for kidnapping.  That offense involved him pointing a gun at a female victim, threatening to kill her, and holding her against her will.  Stewart received probationary sentences or a fine for the majority of his prior assaultive behavior.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney April Russo.