Shayne Austin Stewart, 33, of Pioneer, West Carroll Parish, Louisiana, United States is accused of sexually abusing children. He has been arrested.
Shayne Stewart
Stewart stands 5’5″ and weighs 240 pounds. He has green eyes and blond hair.
On September 29, 2026, special agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force helped the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office investigate Stewart. He was accused of photographing and recording himself sexually abusing at least two children younger than 8 years old.
After obtaining an arrest warrant, the agents searched across multiple jurisdictions to apprehend Stewart. On September 30, 2026, he was located at a hotel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA where he was taken into custody with the help of the Hattiesburg Police Department.
Initially, Stewart was booked into the Forrest County Jail in Hattiesburg. Later, he was transferred to the West Carroll Parish Correctional Center in Epps, Louisiana.
Stewart was charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape, 145 counts of production of child sexual abuse material and 355 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. His bond has yet to be set.
Anyone who believes they know someone victimized by Stewart should contact the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation.
Pioneer, Louisiana
Situated in West Carroll Parish in northeastern Louisiana, the village of Pioneer is a charming, quiet community steeped in rural Southern tradition. Covering approximately 1.1 square miles of land, Pioneer was officially incorporated as a village in 1911, though settlement in the area dates back to the 1850s when steamboat traffic along nearby Bayou Macon fueled local growth.
Home to a small population of around 150 residents, Pioneer offers a peaceful, close-knit environment typical of the Louisiana delta region. Agriculture and timber have historically anchored the area’s local economy, surrounded by fertile farmland and scenic wetlands.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Set among the sprawling longleaf pine forests of South Mississippi, Hattiesburg is a vibrant city rich in history, education, and culture. Founded in 1882 by civil engineer William H. Hardy and named in honor of his wife, Hattie Hardy, the settlement quickly grew into a crucial railway and timber hub.
Today, Hattiesburg serves as a dynamic regional anchor. It is widely recognized as a college town, home to both the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. These institutions bring steady energy, academic research, and collegiate athletics to the community. Nearby Camp Shelby, one of the nation’s largest National Guard training sites, adds further strategic significance to the area.
