Joseph Daniel Schultz, 43, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for sexually abusing a minor on the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The sexual abuse of a child is an unforgivable crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Schultz violated a young girl on the White Earth Indian Reservation, shattering the trust and safety every child deserves. That child showed courage no child should ever have to summon. Two decades in prison stands as reminder that attacks on Minnesota’s children will be met with condemnation and severe consequences.”
According to court records, Schultz abused a minor under age nine during the fall and winter months of 2023 while holding a position of trust over the victim. The abuse continued for several months before being reported in January 2024 after Schultz’s arrest on an unrelated charge.
Earlier this year, Schultz pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact.
As noted by government prosecutors at sentencing, at least one in four girls nationwide experiences child sexual abuse, with Native Americans facing higher risks—Native women and girls are estimated to be more than twice as likely as others to experience sexual assault crimes (https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249736.pdf). Childhood sexual abuse can lead to serious long-term physical, emotional, and mental health problems.
The sentencing took place before Chief Judge J. Patrick Schiltz in U.S. District Court. Chief Judge Schiltz determined that sentencing enhancements were warranted due to the victim’s age, Schultz’s position of trust over her, and his status as a repeat sex offender.
In delivering the sentence, Chief Judge Schiltz stated it was a “horrible crime and it will have a horrible impact.” He also commented that “the victim and her siblings will ‘spend all of their lives grappling with the harm committed in this case.’”
“Schulz’s unspeakable actions violated the safety and innocence of a child,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis Division. “The children of the White Earth Nation, and all children, deserve to grow up free from the fear, trauma, and abuse inflicted by Schulz and horrible predators like him. This sentence reflects the full force of the FBI and our law enforcement partners that will be brought to bear to pursue justice for all victims and prosecution for anyone who exploits and abuses a child. We will stop at nothing to protect children and bring child predators to justice.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended both the courage shown by the young victim in coming forward as well as investigative efforts by FBI agents working alongside White Earth Tribal Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Baumel prosecuted this case.
