Registered sex offender newly charged with soliciting sex with a toddler
A Butler Township man is facing charges related to soliciting sex with a toddler — exactly 12 years after he was charged with deviate sexual intercourse in connection to a different child.
Robert E. Schmidt, 39, requested pictures of the 2-year-old child from her mother for sexual gratification and later asked to have sex with the toddler, according to charges filed Thursday, May 30.
Schmidt is facing a charge of felony criminal solicitation — rape of a child after police say a ChildLine report was received Wednesday indicating that inappropriate photos and messages were exchanged between Schmidt and the child’s mother about the child.
The mother was interviewed about the conversation, which started in May, police said.
City police officials did not respond to inquiries about filing charges against the mother prior to publication.
Police said the child’s mother and Schmidt were dating when she provided photos of her child per his request, knowing his intentions were inappropriate.
Police said Schmidt reportedly possessed two cellphones and multiple social media accounts to access child sexual abuse images. One witness said in an interview that Schmidt had showed her inappropriate photos of children on a tablet and a laundry bag of children’s undergarments.
Schmidt was placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $500,000 Friday. His preliminary hearing before District Judge William Fullerton is scheduled June 10.
Court documents show that exactly 12 years ago on May 30, 2012, Schmidt was charged with felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in connection to the assault of a 8-month-old child in Butler.
In November 2013, Schmidt was sentenced to serve six to 15 years in the state correctional facility in Greene County.
At that time, the infant’s mother said the sentence was not enough.
“That’s just a slap on the wrist. He’s getting away with more than he is supposed to,” the victim’s mother said in November 2013 following the sentencing. “Mothers … watch out who you trust to babysit.”
According to the Megan’s Law portal, Schmidt is designated as a sexually violent predator and is required to register for life due to his previous offense.
