Authorities say they found weapons, ‘rape kit’ in Cedar Grove man’s home

The Cedar Grove man who was convicted last year of stalking a 62-year-old woman who lives next door and who is to be sentenced on a firearms charge next week told police he was planning to rape the woman, according to a criminal complaint filed in
Sheboygan County Circuit Court.

Thomas F. Schultz, 49, was sentenced Nov. 6 by Judge Terence Bourke for stalking the woman for 2-1/2 years, during which time he broke into her home repeatedly and urinated on her underwear. Schultz was given 30 days to report to jail.

A week before Schultz was to report to jail, authorities searched his home at 269 N. Main St. and found a .22 caliber Hertes handgun, a pellet handgun and items stolen from the neighbor, according to the criminal complaint.

Also found at his home was what authorities called a rape kit that included handcuffs, leg restraints, duct tape, dark clothing, latex gloves and other items, the complaint states.

Schultz now faces two felony counts of burglary, one misdemeanor theft charge and two misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass in addition to the felony charge of possessing firearms by a felon.

He pleaded no contest to the weapons charge that carries a maximum 10-year prison term and $10,000 fine. His sentencing is set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in Sheboygan County Circuit Court Branch 1.

A plea hearing on the other charges is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 2. Each felony charge calls for up to 12-1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Each misdemeanor charge could result in nine months in prison and $10,000 fine.

When Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Detective Gerald Urban, who accompanied probation officers during the search, questioned Schultz about the items found, Schultz said he entered his neighbor’s house in August or September 2007 and took the stethoscope, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Schultz told Urban he planned to use the stethoscope to listen at the victim’s window to determine when she was asleep, then enter the house and rape her.

Schultz told Urban he duplicated keys to his neighbor’s home three times because she replaced the locks, according to the complaint.

The complaint also links Schultz to a September 2006 burglary when the victim reported her purse was stolen from her kitchen table. A key card with a small key to her car that the victim said she kept in her wallet was found in Schultz’s wallet on Dec. 9, 2009, the complaint states.

Schultz’s probation was revoked Dec. 16. On Jan. 15, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and two years probation for the stalking conviction and ordered not to come within one mile of the victim’s home and to register as a sex offender.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, said she lived in fear for the 2-1/2 years she suspected Schultz of entering her house. He was caught June 27, 2009, on a video surveillance camera she installed.

She has attended every hearing and intends to be in court again next week.

“It’s not done yet and I don’t know if I’m ever going to be completely OK,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can get at least 10 years out of the five charges. Usually I go (to each court appearance) because I like to show him that I’m not afraid of him and I’m still here. I usually have friends and family with me. I’m getting to know the courthouse pretty well. Hopefully, it will all be done by the end of April.”

When she learned Schultz intended to rape her, the woman said she was frightened and still worries he may be released and harm her or someone else.

“He had everything planned out, and he told them about it,” she said. “He’s a very sick man. I’m glad he’s off the street and can’t harm anyone else.”