July 29, 2016 at 10:05 p.m.
LdF MMA fighter facing 10 domestic abuse charges
Schuman charged with three felonies, seven misdemeanors
LdF MMA fighter facing 10 domestic abuse charges
Frank R. Schuman, 23, of Lac du Flambeau, was charged May 31 with two counts of substantial battery (domestic abuse, infliction of physical pain or injury) and first-degree recklessly endangering safety (domestic abuse, use of a dangerous weapon), but one of the battery charges was dismissed before he made his adjourned initial court appearance on June 1. The battery charge is a class I felony carrying a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. The second charge is a class F felony which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a $25,000 fine. A weapons enhancer could add up to four years to any prison sentence if Schuman is convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, a member of the LdF Tribal Police was dispatched to the Wellness Center on May 25 after the alleged victim reported that Schuman had battered her and had been doing so for over eight years. The woman also reported that she was hospitalized for a broken wrist following an incident with Schuman May 16.
Later the same day, the alleged victim was interviewed by the same officer at the tribal police station. According to the criminal complaint, she said she got into an argument with Schuman on May 16 that involved a weapon. She said he retrieved an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle from his vehicle, began waving it around, pointed it at her and slapped her. She also claimed he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into a swampy area. When someone drove up to the house, he let her go, she said.
The complaint states the alleged victim tried to leave in her car and when Schuman couldn't get the keys from her, he opened the hood and began ripping wires out of the engine compartment, causing the headlights to go out. The alleged victim told police she continued to try to back out of the driveway, only to strike a concrete object, forcing her to pull back into the driveway because she couldn't see. After the visitor left, Schuman again picked up the rifle and pushed her down on the walkway, causing her wrist to bend backward and break, she said.
The complaint also states the alleged victim told police Schuman threw her on a couch and began to kick her in the ribs. As this was going on, she tried to block his kicks with her hands, causing more injury to her wrist, which made her scream in pain, she said. The complaint states Schuman allegedly told the woman "no one can hear you scream out here."
The woman also alleges Schuman hit her in the face with the rifle before shoving the end of the barrel at her, striking her eye. She told the officer that she could see Schuman's finger on the trigger of the rifle and that a magazine was in place.
At Schuman's preliminary hearing July 26, a second amended complaint was filed alleging an additional charge of felony intimidation of a victim (domestic abuse - use of a dangerous weapon) five counts of misdemeanor battery (domestic abuse - use of a dangerous weapon) and one misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer.
Assistant attorney general Devra Ayala is the special prosecutor on the case.
According to court records, the intimidation of a victim charge stems from Schuman allegedly pulling the wires from the car engine during the May 16 incident.
The majority of the additional battery charges stem from an alleged incident on May 7 when the victim says Schuman punched her, pulled her hair, elbowed her, picked her up by the neck and threw her to the ground.
The amended complaint also alleges Schuman began throwing dresser drawers at the alleged victim's leg, causing her to be unable to walk.
At one point, the alleged victim called 9-1-1 only to have Schuman take the phone from her and hang up, the amended complaint states. When tribal police called back, Schuman told the officer on the phone that his child had accidentally placed the call.
This is the basis for the obstructing an officer charge, according to the amended complaint.
According to court records, Schuman had a bail/bond hearing on May 27, where Vilas County judge Neal Nielsen set a $20,000 cash bond with conditions Schuman have no contact with the alleged victim, her children, three other named individuals or their parents. He was also ordered not to enter their property, consume alcohol or enter taverns, and turn in all weapons to the tribal police.
The first criminal complaint was filed on May 31, according to the records. Schuman made an adjourned initial appearance on June 1, with his attorney Steven Lucareli, at which time bond was modified to $2,500 cash.
Nielsen then recused himself from the case as did Vilas County district attorney Albert Moustakis. The case was later assigned to Oneida County judge Michael Bloom. An amended complaint was filed on June 9, striking one of the three original charges. Schuman entered not guilty pleas at a new initial appearance on June 17. A second amended complaint was then filed by Ayala before Schuman's preliminary hearing.
After hearing testimony from the tribal police officer, Bloom found there was sufficient evidence to bind Schuman over for trial. An arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 22.
According to Wisconsin Department of Justice spokesman Johnny Koremenos, the additional charges were filed after additional information was provided by tribal police. He could not comment further as he said the investigation is still ongoing.
Schuman, who fights under the nickname "The Nightmare," last fought in a King of the Cage main event April 23 at the Lake of the Torches Resort and Casino, where he lost to Zak Ottow. Repeated attempts to reach King of the Cage to inquire as to Schuman's status with the organization were unsuccessful. He is not scheduled to fight in this weekend's event at the casino.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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