Lolita Harper
MAGNOLIA PARK -- According to court records, a Moreno Valley man --
arrested Sunday for allegedly dragging his pregnant ex-girlfriend from a
truck -- had a history of violence.
Ryan Stewart, 28, had been convicted of battery twice in the past two
years, said Mike Qualls of the Los Angeles city attorney's office.
According to L.A. Sheriff's Departmentinmate records, the most recent was
for an assault of a former spouse.
After the first arrest in May of 1998, Stewart plead no contest to
battery and was sentenced to two days in jail, two years of summary
probation and community service, Qualls said.
His victim then was not the same 25-year-old woman who was allegedly
dragged Sunday, he said.
Stewart was also ordered to return to the Hollywood Superior Court in
June for a progress check and to determine payment to the victim, the
city attorney said. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he
failed to make his court appearance.
In April of this year, Stewart was again convicted of battery after
assaulting a former spouse in North Hollywood. Because he violated the
terms of his probation and had a warrant issued for his arrest, he was
given an additional 30 days of community service.
A series of progress reports were also ordered, which he attended
regularly, Qualls said.
Although Stewart's next appearance in Hollywood Superior Court was not
until Jan. 31, he was arraigned Wednesday in Burbank Criminal Court,
facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.
Stewart pleaded not guilty on both counts and was being held on
$40,000 bail in Los Angeles County Prison.
The 25-year-old victim was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical
Center after complaining of stomach cramps but was released from the
emergency room the same day, said hospital spokeswoman Mary Ann Madden.
It could not be determined if the pregnant ex-girlfriend was the
victim in April.
