While Larry Stewart was running a campaign to become a Pike County justice court judge this year, no one knew he soon would have to appear before another judge — one presiding over federal court in Jackson, where Stewart stood Wednesday as he was arraigned on a 27-count indictment accusing him of selling prescription drugs.
Federal authorities arrested the McComb physician Wednesday morning at the Southwest Mississippi Ear, Nose and Throat clinic, which bears his name on the outside of the building.
Pictures that surfaced on a Jackson newscast showed Stewart in blue scrubs, handcuffed in the front seat of a law enforcement vehicle.
What will happen to Stewart remains to be played out in court, but his arrest sent a shockwave through the community he has become an intimate part of.
Stewart was involved in numerous associations and activities.
He was a pilot and former chairman of the McComb-Pike County Airport Board.
He lived in a large, split-level Frank Lloyd Wright-style home that was considered one of the nicest in McComb’s posh Reservation neighborhood, where the streets are named after Indian tribes. It was also one of the host homes of 2008 Shuffle to the Chefs and hosted McComb Garden Club flower shows, weddings and other events.
Stewart acted in, directed and produced productions at the Pike County Little Theater. He was also a supporter of the Pike County Arts Council.
More recently, he got involved in politics, running as a Republican for Pike County Northern District Justice Court Judge, apparently in the face of a federal drug investigation and tax dispute with the Internal Revenue Service. Stewart lost the judge’s race in November, receiving 44 percent of the vote in his first run at political office.
Since his arrest Wednesday, friends and acquaintances have taken to his Facebook page. Some offered support and others said they were withholding judgment until they knew all the facts.
One of those was Ryan Temple, past president and member of the Pike County Little Theater. Temple said Stewart played an integral role in the creation and organization of the group.
“He’s a big reason why the PCLT exists today. He’s partly responsible for creating the organization,” Temple told the Enterprise-Journal. “And the fact that it has stayed alive is because of him. We’ve gone through some tough years and without his support, it’s doubtful we would have been able to continue.”
Temple said he talked to Stewart about possibly coming back to the stage and playing a more active role with the PCLT if his campaign did not go the way he wished.
Regarding his arrest, Temple said he was aware of “rumors” floating around the last several months, but — like many others — he attributed that to the negativity and rumors that can surround political campaigns.
“It’s a small town, so we heard some rumors, but I discounted those as just some negative campaign accusations,” he said.
Temple said he is waiting for more information on Stewart’s case before he draws any conclusions, but his experience in law enforcement leads him to believe that the allegations could have a degree of truth to them.
“I was in law enforcement for six years. So, usually when the federal authorities get involved, it would tend to suggest there’s something to this. They don’t normally put on this big of a production if there’s nothing there,” he said.
“But I’m not going to judge. I’m going to be supportive of a friend. It was a very tough thing to take when the news came out. I’m terribly saddened by it,” he said.
Pike County Arts Council president Kelly Parker expressed similar sentiments. She did not want to discuss the arrest, instead deciding to focus on the role Stewart has played with the PCAC.
“It’s very sad. We care about Larry and his wife, Cindy. They’ve always expressed an appreciation for the arts. He’s been very supportive with us, and always above board. I never had any expectations that this would happen.”
