PORTAGE COUNTY — Richard Schneider, who allegedly made threats against the Tomorrow River School District, has entered pleas of not guilty by mental disease or defect.
On Feb. 13, Schneider reportedly sent threatening messages to the superintendent of the Tomorrow River School District. In the messages, Schneider threatened a school shooting, that included the shooting of a principal, as well as a dream he had about shooting people as they ran from him. The superintendent stated he did not know who Schneider was.
Deputies were able to contact Schneider at his Amherst residence. During their interaction, Schneider admitted to sending messages and provided deputies with his phone. The messages on the phone matched the messages presented by the victim. Schneider stated he did not believe the messages were threatening in nature.
Schneider was placed under arrest and charged with stalking, making terroristic threats, and computer messaging with threats of injury. On Feb. 16, a cash bond was set at $10,000 for Schneider, which he posted the same day.
After failing to report to a court-ordered appointment, Schneider was then arrested again for felony bail jumping.
On Feb. 19, Schneider returned to court for his second bond hearing. The judge increased Schneider’s cash bond to $500,000 and added additional conditions that included a GPS monitoring system should Schneider post bail again, no contact of any kind with victims from face to face to over social media, not to be within 1,000 feet of the schools or the victim’s residence, no contact with the schools, and not to go on the school premise.
According to court records, on July 16 Schneider’s attorney moved to change the not guilty pleas to not guilty due to mental disease or defect. Additionally, his attorney will submit paperwork regarding an appointment to determine Schneider’s competency.
Schneider is expected back in Portage County County Court on Nov. 20 for a status conference.
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