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	Amish Couple Sentenced By Nicholas W. Inman South County Mail January 29, 2010 An Amish couple were sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Webster County Circuit Court – the husband for sexually abusing two of his teenage daughters and the mother for not reporting the crime to authorities. Johnny A. Schwartz and Fannie J. Schwartz, of the Amish community along Route A in the south-central part of the county, both entered guilty pleas as part of plea agreements. Johnny Schwartz was sentenced to two seven-year terms in the Department of Corrections on the statutory sodomy charges, to run concurrently, and two 10-year sentences on the child molestation charges, to run consecutively but concurrent with the other terms. Fannie Schwartz received a suspended imposition of sentence, with five years supervised probation. She must conduct 100 hours of community service and receive counseling. She was instructed by the court to meet with a parole officer. The case, which began in October 2009, originated when Johnny Schwartz was investigated and charged with sexual abuse of two of his daughters. Schwartz, who has been incarcerated in the Webster County Jail since first being arrested, appeared on his own behalf alongside his attorney, Will Worsham. Prior to Schwartz’s sentencing, one side of the courtroom filled with members of the local Amish community, several of whom were related to Schwartz and his wife, Fannie Schwartz. As Johnny Schwartz approached the bench in shackles, his wife used a white handkerchief to collect the tears that streamed down her face. In both cases, formal arraignment was waived and the judge questioned Johnny Schwartz and Fannie Schwartz in separate appearances before the court, following their guilty pleas. Johnny Schwartz pleaded guilty to four counts, including two class C felonies and two class B felonies. During questioning by the judge, Schwartz, in a voice barely audible, answered that he had not been told by anyone that he had a mental disease that would keep him from understanding the proceedings. Worsham later questioned Schwartz about his statement, and asked if he had not been transported to Kansas City, where he had received evaluation for his mental state. Schwartz stated that he had and agreed that it was clear from the doctors who examined him that he would be available to understand everything during his trial. He also stated that he is taking medication for his bipolar disorder. Following questioning, Prosecutor Danette Padgett was asked by the judge to read the evidence that would be presented if Schwartz were to have a jury trial. Padgett read graphic details from the testimony offered by Schwartz and his minor daughters from probable cause statements recorded by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department. Padgett explained that two of the counts had occurred at the Schwartz home on Normandy Road in Webster County between June 14, 2007, and June 14, 2008, and that a third count occurred between June 4, 2000, and June 4, 2001. She also explained that the other count involved with the plea took place between June 4, 2002, and June 4, 2003. During the presentation of her evidence, it was stated that Schwartz had been punished by the church on more than one occasion for having sexual contact with his biological children. After Johnny Schwartz’ sentencing, Fannie J. Schwartz stood before the Judge, dressed in the traditional dress of her culture. As the judge asked her to raise her right hand to administer her oath, Schwartz politely refused to raise her hand to receive the oath. The Judge then asked her to receive the oath without raising her hand, which she did. She then went through the same process as her husband, with questioning by the judge. Fannie Schwartz entered a plea agreement as well and was charged with the Class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child. She was charged for knowing about the abuse and not taking actions to protect her children. In evidence read by the prosecutor, testimonies revealed that the Schwartz had communication with her daughters about the abuse and said “that it did not bother her as much as it should have.” Padgett explained that many times when Johnny Schwartz would come and get one of the daughters to take her upstairs, that she would be in the company of her mother. Four Amish elders from the community are scheduled to appear in court on March 10, on charges they also did not report the abuse by Johnny Schwartz to authorities, and have requested to appear in absentia. Contact: nicholasi@marshfieldmail.com
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