WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A 20-year-old Winter Haven man is behind bars after being accused of performing lewd battery on a 15-year-old girl he encountered at a bus stop on multiple occasions. Loy Don Stewart, II, was taken into custody on Tuesday following an investigation into the incidents.
According to Winter Gaven Police, Stewart allegedly approached the victim at her bus stop at Edwin St NE and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd on three separate dates: May 8, May 9, and May 14, 2025. On each occasion, Stewart reportedly called out to the victim, saying, “come here little mama.” The two exchanged Instagram accounts and communicated briefly before Stewart’s account was closed by the platform.
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Detectives say each time, Stewart drove the victim from her bus stop to her school. The victim told investigators that Stewart engaged in lewd interactions with her inside his truck during these trips. For the May 14 encounter, Stewart allegedly provided the victim with e-cigarettes and promised alcohol and cash for a meeting scheduled for May 19.
However, the victim had confided in her parent and was not at the bus stop on May 19. This allowed detectives to launch an investigation.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, detectives made contact with Stewart. He reportedly admitted to driving his pickup truck to the bus stop and speaking with the victim. He also acknowledged driving her to school and confessed to the lewd acts within the vehicle.
Stewart told detectives that the victim told him she was 17 or 18 years old, but he couldn’t recall exactly.
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He was arrested and faces charges, including three counts of Lewd Battery (F2), three counts of Traveling to Meet a Minor (F2), and one count of Use of an Electronic Device to Solicit a Minor (F2).
“I implore parents to be hyper-vigilant about the school bus stops,” said Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe. “It’s always a good idea to partner with other parents and try to have a presence to ensure the safety of the kids.”
Authorities are urging anyone who may have encountered Stewart at the bus stop in a similar manner to contact Detective Heuer at 863-291-5304.
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