Joseph Daniel Schultz, 43, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and ten years of supervised release for sexually abusing a minor on the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation. The sentencing was announced 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 during the fall and winter months of 2023, involving a victim under the age of nine. Schultz held a position of trust over the victim, which he used to facilitate repeated abuse over several months. In January 2024, after Schultz was arrested for an unrelated charge, the victim disclosed the abuse to an adult she trusted. Earlier this year, Schultz pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact.
At sentencing, government representatives highlighted that at least one in four girls in the United States experiences child sexual abuse—a figure even higher among Native women and girls, who are statistically more likely to experience such crimes compared to other groups.
The defendant appeared before Chief Judge J. Patrick Schiltz in U.S. District Court for sentencing. Judge Schiltz determined that sentencing enhancements were appropriate due to factors including 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 further noted that both the victim and her siblings would “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.”
Authorities commended both local law enforcement agencies—the FBI and White Earth Tribal Police—for their investigative work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Baumel prosecuted.
