Former middle school band teacher Lindsey Stuart has been given three Life sentences after being found guilty of having sexual relations with a 14-year-old student multiple times over about a 12-month period, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Stuart, 40, was found guilty as charged of 3 counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child 12 Years of Age or Older, but Under 18 Years of Age, by a Person in Custodial Authority. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark gave the defendant Life on each charge. Each sentence is to be served concurrently, or at the same time.
Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented evidence and called 4 witnesses – the victim, her sister, and both her parents – to prove that Stuart was 38 years old when he engaged in a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old student in 2023. The victim testified the two had sexual relations dozens of times, most often at the school.
“When parents send their kids to school, they’re entrusting administrators and teachers with their most prized possession,” Sullivan said. “This defendant used his authority to abuse that trust and his actions are inexcusable.
“Florida’s statutes recognize that and we are pleased that this defendant will never again have a chance to victimize a child.”
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In a letter to the court, the victim said the defendant took advantage of her vulnerabilities and youth to victimize her and that his actions “cost me everything.”
“Your actions were not justified. You took advantage of me, and you know that,” she wrote. “Along with the things you have taken from me your actions still affect me mentally to this day. I constantly am paranoid and … have a hard time trusting people in general.
“I don’t hate you,” she added. “I hate your actions.”
The evidence included 29 pages of handwritten letters from the defendant to the victim – found by the victim’s mother when she became suspicious of Stuart – in which he professed his “love” for the student.
Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for their work in investigating the case and gathering the evidence that helped lead to a conviction.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.