Yuma man formally charged with sexual abuse

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The man accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of five for more than 10 years was back in Yuma County Superior Court.

44-year-old James David Schultz faces almost 40 counts of sexual abuse-related charges.

We were able to obtain a 17-page indictment document that explains each of the counts.

According to the document, the abuse was on and off from 2003 through 2023 detailing Schultz is being charged with dozens of felonies including eight counts of sexual conduct with a minor, and five counts of sexual assault of a minor.

Along with sexual abuse detailing, "defendant touched, fondled or manipulated the female victim’s breasts."

Schultz also faces 17 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The document included the names of the footage, "video with best necklace victim. Image with sparkling velvet victim. And image with teal and pink princess victim."

Below are the charges included in the document.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2003 through 2005:

• One count of molestation of a child.
• One count of public sexual indecency to a minor.
• Two counts of aggravated assault.
• One count of sexual conduct with a minor.
• One count of sexual assault of a minor.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2006 through 2009:

• Three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
• One count of molestation of a child.
• One count of furnishing harmful items to a minor.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2008 through 2011:

• One count of sexual abuse.
• One count of aggravated assault.
• One count of sexual conduct with a minor.
• One count of sexual assault of a minor.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2009 through 2011:

• Two counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
• Two counts of sexual assault of a minor.
• One count of aggravated assault.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2016:

• One count of sexual conduct with a minor.
• One count of sexual assault of a minor.

The following charges are listed for the alleged crimes that happened on or around 2021 through 2023. The victim(s) were not identified:

• 17 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The state deputy attorney said they're still looking into who else may have been abused.

“The investigation is ongoing with additional victims and we’re still investigating," stated Robert Sederson, State Deputy Attorney.

One victim did appear in court.

“Victim is present, but does not wish to address the court," the victim representative stated.

Schultz’s attorney, Jose Padilla, made a request ahead of his next court appearance.

“Yes your honor, we’re going to ask for additional time, simply because we have not studied for the discovery request from the state," said Jose Padilla, Defense Attorney.

The judge granted the defense team an extension of more than a month. 

Schultz is being held here at the Yuma County Jail on a bond of $50,000.

He’s scheduled to be back in court in early May.