Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023
Mendon man facing upgraded sex charges
By Abigail Miller
CELINA - A Mendon man previously convicted of sexual offenses involving minors was arraigned on child sex crimes on Tuesday in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
Michael G. Schmidt, 56, was arraigned on a superseding indictment of seven upgraded charges: four counts of first-degree felony rape, two counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition and first-degree misdemeanor endangering children.
According to the indictment, on or about Jan. 1, 2021 to May 4, 2021, Schmidt allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a 5-year-old girl.
A superseding indictment is a criminal complaint brought by a grand jury that changes, adds to or replaces an original indictment.
Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor said the superseding indictment was filed due to additional evidence, and will replace indictments filed against him in the past in the case.
He was originally indicted on two counts of first-degree felony rape, two counts of second-degree felony sexual battery, three counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition, second-degree felony sexual battery, first-degree misdemeanor endangering children and first-degree misdemeanor assault.
If convicted, Schmidt faces up to life in prison.
Schmidt had previously been convicted of four counts of gross sexual imposition, third-degree felonies, in 2001. He served 16 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation for engaging in sexual conduct with two minor victims aged 9 and 12. He was released in 2017.
Schmidt is currently being held without bond at the Mercer County Detention Facility, where he's been since May 20, 2021.
His next appearance is Oct. 26 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
