Disbarred New Port Richey Attorney Accused Of Shoplifting

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A disbarred New Port Richey attorney is facing more legal problems after being accused of shoplifting at the Home Depot in New Port Richey.

Joshua Stewart, 41, of Manor Beach Road was arrested last week after a loss prevention office at the Home Depot at 10017 U.S. 19 caught him hiding store merchandise in his pants, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

When deputies searched Stewart, they said they found two morphine sulfate pills, six amphetamine Dextro pills and three Clonazepam pills in a small metal container in his pocket.

He was charged with three counts of retail petit theft and three counts of possession of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $4,000.

This is the latest in a series of legal troubles involving the former lawyer.

In June, Stewart was arrested at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport after disembarking from a flight from Costa Rica on a warrant for first-degree arson.

According to the sheriff's office, Stewart is accused of setting fire to a $300,000 yacht docked at a home at 5529 Bowline Bend in New Port Richey Oct. 4, 2018. The 47-foot 1995 Bayliner yacht belonged to Raymond Lissow, 60, who had a long-running dispute with Stewart.

In 2012, Stewart pleaded guilty to stealing the motor to Lissow's yacht.

Stewart was disbarred in December 2017 for an unrelated felony.

After an extensive investigation, Pasco Sheriff's detectives put out a warrant for Stewart's arrest for arson in March but Stewart fled the country.

See related story: Disbarred Attorney Apprehended; Accused Of Burning $300,00 Yacht