Cortland County man pleads guilty to repeated sexual abuse

CORTLAND, N.Y. (WHCU) – A McGraw man could spend up to 25 years in prison.

The Cortland County District Attorney’s Office has announced that 45-year-old Robert Schulte has been convicted of a single felony count of sexual conduct against a child.

“This was a case in which the abuse continued over an extended period of time,” said District Attorney Patrick Perfetti. “At least with the plea deal, the victim and her family can look forward to sentencing and perhaps gain some closure.”

In his guilty plea, Schulte admitted to sexually abusing a victim on multiple occasions in Solon and Cortlandville from 2015 to 2022. Schulte was arrested in May last year and charged with seven crimes, including rape and predatory sexual assault.

“These cases are often the most challenging for prosecutors due to delayed disclosures, lack of forensic science or victims’ reluctance to testify,” said Assistant District Attorney Jessica Weyant. “This prosecution was successful because the victim reported the crime and had the courage to testify as a witness.”

Schulte is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16.