Key Points
- Alleged Hoax Involvement: Stewart faced charges in a nationwide hoax but was acquitted in 2006 due to lack of evidence.
- Legal Controversy: Despite incriminating signs, Stewart’s trial ended in acquittal, sparking legal debates.
- Stewart’s Vanishing Act: Since the trial, Stewart has remained elusive, fueling speculation about his whereabouts and involvement.
The captivating saga of “Don’t Pick Up the Phone” thrusts us into the sinister world where a hoax caller preyed on fast-food chains, tarnishing the lives of their unsuspecting young employees. This chilling narrative not only unravels the audacious exploits of an impersonating police officer, urging managers to subject their subordinates to degrading strip-searches, but also sheds light on the relentless pursuit of justice by real-life detectives.
The spotlight of suspicion has long been fixed on David Richard Stewart, the alleged mastermind behind this appalling scam that spanned over a decade, kicking off in 1992. So, where is this previously suspected hoax caller now? Let’s delve into the enigma that is David Stewart.
Unmasking David Stewart
In the summer of 2004, David Stewart, a seemingly ordinary married father of five and a prison guard at the Bay Correctional Facility in Panama City, Florida, found himself entangled in a web of accusations. Extradited to Bullitt County, Kentucky, he faced felony charges, including impersonating a law officer, soliciting sodomy, and soliciting sexual abuse. The allegations stemmed from the April 9 assault on 18-year-old Louise Ogborn, a McDonald’s employee in Mount Washington, lasting a harrowing 3½ hours.
Investigators, spanning over 30 states, including Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Utah, connected the dots, linking David to similar cases. The modus operandi was eerily identical—a calm, authoritative male, posing as a police officer, manipulating managers into conducting strip searches.
The aftermath unfolded as a series of long-distance kidnappings and sexual assaults. Detectives crucially traced all calls back to AT&T prepaid calling cards in Panama City, leading them to the doorstep of David Stewart. Surveillance footage depicted him purchasing the exact card used in Louise’s assault from a local Walmart, along with cards involved in two parallel incidents.
The Legal Odyssey
Despite the incriminating footage, David Stewart was released on a reduced $100,000 bail and returned to Florida. Facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted, he underwent a trial in the fall of 2006, lasting a week. The courtroom witnessed a plethora of evidence and testimonies, with victim Louise Ogborn recounting her traumatic experience. However, the absence of witnesses to identify David as the caller or any recorded evidence rendered the case circumstantial.
In a swift turn of events on October 31, 2006, after a mere hour and 40 minutes of deliberation, the jury declared David Stewart not guilty on all charges. He walked away a free man, acquitted and without any stipulations. While no new charges surfaced against him, some attorneys assert that David was the puppet master behind the hoax. Prosecutor Mike Mann opined, “I don’t think the evidence points to anyone but David Stewart,” highlighting the alleged cessation of calls upon his arrest in 2004. Despite this, sporadic reports suggest similar incidents persisted, with one as late as 2009.
The Elusive David Stewart
In the aftermath of the trial, David Stewart retreated from the public eye. The now mid-50-year-old has chosen to remain shrouded in mystery, eschewing the limelight.
The current whereabouts of this enigmatic figure remain elusive, leaving us to speculate whether he still resides in Florida or has embarked on a fresh start elsewhere. It appears that David, possibly a reclusive family man, endeavors to distance himself from the haunting shadows of the past.
Uncover the shocking truth behind the accused hoax caller, David Stewart! Is he the puppet master of a chilling nationwide scam, or was justice blind to the real perpetrator? Dive into the twisted tale that continues to baffle and intrigue, revealing the enigma that is David Stewart.