By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A 30-year-old man passing through Cedar City in July will now spend the next five years in Utah after a 5th District Court judge handed him a prison term after he brutally beat a woman.
Robert Schutt was sentenced to up to five years in the Utah State Prison by Judge Matthew Bell this week, after pleading guilty to aggravated assault.
Schutt initially faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, criminal mischief, robbery, threat of violence, and unlawful detention. As part of a plea agreement, all charges were dismissed except for the aggravated assault charge, which was reduced from a second-degree felony to a third-degree felony.
Iron County Prosecutor Trajan Evans described the case as one of the worst domestic violence incidents he had ever seen.
“This was one of the most horrific cases of domestic violence I’ve ever prosecuted,” he said. “It truly shocked my conscience. The victim showed incredible strength and courage to survive this attack.”
Evans also commended Cedar City Police for their quick response to help the victim.
According to court documents, law enforcement responded to a 911 call on July 21, where the victim reported being severely beaten by Schutt while they were traveling together in her vehicle.
When officers arrived, they found the victim in the passenger seat, her face bruised and swollen with both of her eyes nearly shut.
Clumps of her hair were scattered across the vehicle’s interior, torn out during the assault. Schutt, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, had blood on his hands and scratches, consistent with a physical struggle.
The victim explained to investigators that Schutt had been beating her throughout the day, pulling her hair and striking her face. He also damaged the vehicle’s interior by punching the dashboard and center console.
During the attack, Schutt made repeated threats to kill himself and the victim, telling her she “would never make it out alive.”
“While intermittently beating her, Robert would threaten to kill himself and her,” the affidavit stated. “He would say he wanted her dead. The victim stated she could not leave Robert or the vehicle because he would continue to beat her.”
In addition to the physical violence, the victim said Schutt forced her to send him money via a mobile payment app, threatening further harm if she didn’t comply.
Initially, Schutt denied knowing the victim but later changed his story, admitting they had been traveling together. He claimed to have blacked out during the incident and could not recall what had happened.