ELKHART — Wawasee High School's former athletic director has pled guilty to a level 6 felony after he inappropriately touched himself while in a restaurant's drive-thru.
Cory J. Schutz, 51, of 6705 E. Cornelius Road, Syracuse, has pled guilty to performance before a minor that is harmful to minors, a level 6 felony. A misdemeanor charge for public indecency will be dismissed as part of the agreement.
The agreement states Schutz will receive a 2-1/2-year sentence at the Elkhart County Correctional Complex, with six months served on home detention if he is eligible and two years suspended on reporting probation.
As part of his sentence, the plea agreement also states Schutz will continue sex offender treatment. A no-contact order between Schutz and the victim will remain in effect.
Schutz's case was initially scheduled for a jury trial on Aug. 5, which was cancelled after the plea agreement was filed.
Sentencing will occur at a later date.
On July 24, 2023, an Elkhart Police officer went to a Culver's restaurant after a man exposed himself in the restaurant's drive-thru. The man left the scene prior to the officer's arrival.
According to court documents, the restaurant's manager said a man, later identified as Schutz, was at the drive-thru window paying for his food while fondling his exposed genitalia. A cashier under the age of 18 was handing Schutz his change back when they realized Schutz's groin area was completely exposed.
Upon reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant, the officer could see Schutz inappropriately touching himself while in his vehicle.
The suspect vehicle's license plate, and a call from the man asking where his food was, helped officers identify the person as Schutz.
Schutz was interviewed by officers on Aug. 4, 2023. He said he ordered a salad from Culver's and called the restaurant because it was taking a long time for him to receive his food.
Schutz initially denied exposing himself in the drive-thru. However, upon being told the act was recorded on video, Schutz said it would not happen again. He said he felt bad the cashier saw him and was unsure why he exposed himself.
From 2019 to 2021, multiple social media posts circulated involving girls and women coming forward with statements about Schutz allegedly inappropriately touching and interacting with them when they attended Wawasee High School.
In August 2020, Schutz was placed on paid leave while employed at Wawasee High School, pending an investigation by the Indiana State Police based on allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor. An online petition was started further alleging this conduct.
A press release issued by Wawasee's administrative staff said following a four-month investigation, charges were not filed against Schutz.
Schutz resigned from his position at Wawasee in June 2021.