River Falls man on probation for false imprisonment

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A River Falls man was placed on three years’ probation late last month for holding a Pierce County employee without her consent last August.

Steven J. Schutz, 53, P.O. Box 562, pled guilty to false imprisonment Jan. 28 in Pierce County Circuit Court. False imprisonment is a Class H felony.

According to the criminal complaint, Schutz had an appointment with a county mental health therapist on Aug. 1 and, within 10 minutes, he pulled a knife and pointed it at her. She told Ellsworth police Schutz refused her request to leave twice.

The victim said Schutz repeatedly mentioned suicide--how suicidal he is and how desperately he craves it. While they were talking, Schutz allegedly took out two small Virgin Mary statues and said one was a good Mary and the other a bad Mary. The bad Mary, Schutz allegedly said, was telling him he was worthless and egging on his suicidal thoughts, and the good Mary wasn’t being very helpful.

The therapist reported Schutz said, “I need to die, and I need to do it here today.”

The victim also said police had previously taken away Schutz’s guns, which increased his anger, this time at the county.

For more please read the Feb. 20 print version of the Herald.

Tags: news, crime, courts, wisconsin