Felon convicted of shooting Aurora detective in 2002 facing new weapons charges

AURORA, Ill. - A felon convicted of shooting an Aurora detective in 2002 is facing new charges after he was caught with a gun and cocaine last week in the western suburb, police said.

Lemont Stewart, 43, has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, armed violence, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and being an armed habitual offender, according to Aurora police.

On July 21, officers observed Stewart in the passenger seat of a car pulling out of the Super 8 hotel on Longmeadow Drive, police said.

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Stewart, who was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant, fled the vehicle after officers pulled alongside his car, according to police.

Stewart was taken into custody after a brief foot chase and was found to be in possession of five live 9mm bullets, police said. While searching his vehicle, officers located a firearm with a loaded magazine in a backpack.

Lemont Stewart, 43 (DuPage County State's Attorney's office)

Police said Stewart also allegedly gave the driver approximately 13 grams of cocaine to hide for him before he fled the car.

"The law is crystal clear, as a convicted felon, Mr. Stewart is prohibited from ever possessing a firearm again and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that would allow him to do so, as alleged in this case," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.

"We have zero tolerance for felons in possession of a gun, especially in the hands of a man convicted of shooting one of our officers in 2002," Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross.

Stewart, an Aurora resident, has been ordered to be held without bond and is due back in court Aug. 17.