Schultz charged with trying to contact minor by computer

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A Terry, Mont. man will have to pay a $20,000 cash bond to be released from jail after being accused of trying to contact a minor by computer.

At a bond reduction hearing Monday at the Stark County Courthouse, Ronald O. Schultz, 33, who is accused of trying to lure a minor by computer Oct. 12, represented himself and appeared in court via interactive video from the Southwest Multi County Correction Center in Dickinson. He told the court he is self-employed and would be willing to put a work truck up as collateral.

“I want to get home, so I can get a lawyer to get this taken care of,” Schultz told Judge William Herauf during the hearing. “This is the only trouble I have ever been in, except for speeding tickets, and when I get in trouble I take responsibility as an adult. Always have, always will.”

Schultz allegedly contacted a minor and requested to have sexual intercourse and engage in other sexual acts, according to the criminal complaint.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Nov. 26, and Stark County Assistant State’s Attorney Rhonda Ehlis said the state has several concerns about Schulz’s mental state and allowing him to leave North Dakota before his case is closed.

“We believe that when this incident occurred, Mr. Schultz believed he was going to meet a girl under age 15,” he said. “If Mr. Schultz does not show back up for his next court appearance, the only way we will be able to get him back here is through extradition.”

Ehlis added that there are also concerns regarding Schultz’s mental state and that he was on suicide watch at the correction center for a while.

Although he is no longer on suicide watch, Ehlis said that does not mean he is not still suicide or a danger to himself or others.

“He has no convictions that we know of, but we’re concerned that we lose jurisdiction when he leaves the state and we believe that he could be a threat to the community,” she said.

Herauf expressed concern that Schultz is charged with a Class B felony, but because there were no medical professionals to testify about his mental state, Herauf agreed to set Schultz’s bond at $20,000 cash.

Luring minors by computer carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In other court news

A Class C felony terrorizing charge against David Gene James, 27, Dickinson was lowered to Class A misdemeanor menacing.

James allegedly informed another individual Sept. 2 that he shot at and killed people, according to the criminal complaint.

Kenneth Mark Mcquistion, 56, Piedmont, S.D., also charged with Class C felony terrorizing, had his charge lowered to Class A misdemeanor menacing.

Mcquistion is accused of driving down Interstate 94 on Aug. 7 and flashing a gun at another motorist, who feared for their safety, according to the criminal complaint.

Both entered not guilty pleas.

Jack Lee Stephens, 34, Belfield, also entered a not guilty at a preliminary hearing to terrorizing after he allegedly pointed a gun at another person on June 20, according to the criminal complaint.

Tags: news, local, schultz, dickinson, montana