An Elgin man has been found guilty by a Kane County jury of sexually assaulting a woman at knifepoint.

Zanzibah T. Stewart, 45, of the 1300 block of Fairwood Drive, was convicted of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, three counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated unlawful restraint. All of the charges are felonies.

Prosecutors said Stewart on Nov. 8, 2020, threatened the victim, who was a woman he knew, with a knife and then sexually assaulted her, a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

Stewart faces a minimum of 18 years in prison when sentenced and must register for the rest of his life as a sexual offender under state law. He is being held in the Kane County jail.

“The defendant is finally being held accountable for his actions due to the victim’s
bravery and perseverance,” Assistant State’s Attorney Amanda Busljeta said in a statement. “I hope that she can now find closure and begin to heal.”