Clifton Man Convicted of Multiple Child Luring and Attempted Sexual Assault Charges

A Morris County jury found Brian Stewart guilty of serious offenses stemming from an online child exploitation case that began in Boonton Township in March 2024.

A 42-year-old former Clifton resident, Brian Stewart, was convicted by a Morris County jury on May 23, 2025, for a series of sexual offenses involving attempted contact with minors through the internet. The charges included luring, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of children.

The trial, which lasted three days, was presided over by Judge Robert M. Hanna in the Morris County Superior Court. The jury returned guilty verdicts on three counts of second-degree luring, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, and four counts of second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault.

The charges stemmed from an investigation launched on March 22, 2024, after the Boonton Township Police Department received a referral regarding potential child exploitation occurring online. Investigators determined that Stewart had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with individuals he believed to be minors and attempted to lure them to a public location for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.

Authorities noted that Stewart will remain in custody until his sentencing, which is scheduled for July 25, 2025. As part of the sentencing, the convictions for attempted endangering and attempted aggravated sexual assault fall under the No Early Release Act. This statute mandates that offenders serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Stewart will also be required to register under Megan’s Law and will be placed under Parole Supervision for Life.

The prosecution was led by Assistant Prosecutors Alyssa DiSturco and Samantha Polizzi, with investigative support from Detective Michael Thompson. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, Boonton Township Police Department, Boonton Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Department all contributed to the investigation and subsequent trial.

This case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement in Morris County to combat internet-based child exploitation and enforce strict penalties for those found guilty of such crimes.