Joseph Daniel Schultz, 43, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a minor under the age of nine 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.”
The abuse took place over several months during late 2023 while Schultz was in a position of trust over the victim. The crimes were discovered after Schultz was arrested for an unrelated charge in January 2024, at which point the victim disclosed the abuse to a trusted adult.
Earlier this year, Schultz pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact.
At sentencing, government attorneys highlighted that at least one in four girls in the United States experiences child sexual abuse, and Native Americans are statistically more likely to experience such crimes than other groups.
The sentence was handed down by Chief Judge J. Patrick Schiltz in U.S. District Court, who applied enhancements due to the age of the victim, Schultz’s position of authority over her, and his status as a repeat offender. In delivering his decision, Chief Judge Schiltz stated that this was a “horrible crime and it will have a horrible impact.” He added that the effects would last throughout the lives of both the victim and her siblings: they 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. of FBI Minneapolis. “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.”
Officials commended both local law enforcement—including FBI agents—and members of White Earth Tribal Police for their investigative work leading up to Schultz’s conviction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Baumel prosecuted this case.
