Man sentenced after violent assault in Cedar City

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today

A 30-year-old man who passed through Cedar City in July will now spend the next five years in Utah after a 5th District Court judge gave him prison time after he brutally beat a woman.

Robert Schutt was sentenced this week by Judge Matthew Bell to up to five years in Utah State Prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault.

Schutt initially faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, criminal misrepresentation, robbery, threats of violence and unlawful imprisonment. As part of a plea agreement, all charges were dismissed except for the aggravated assault charge, which was downgraded 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 has ever seen.

“This was one of the most horrific domestic violence cases I have ever prosecuted,” he said. “It really shook my conscience. The victim showed incredible strength and courage to survive this attack.”

Evans also praised the Cedar City Police Department for their quick response to help the victim.

According to court documents, on July 21, law enforcement responded to a 911 call in which the victim reported being severely struck by debris while they were traveling together in their vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found the victim in the passenger seat. Her face was bruised and swollen, both eyes were almost closed.

Clumps of her hair were scattered around the interior of the vehicle and were ripped out in the attack. Schutt, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, had blood on his hands and scratches, consistent with a physical struggle.

The victim told investigators that Schutt had beaten her, pulled her hair and punched her in the face throughout the day. He also damaged the interior of the vehicle by hitting the dashboard and center console.

During the attack, Schutt repeatedly threatened to kill herself and the victim, telling her that she would “never make it out alive.”

“While he was intermittently beating her, Robert threatened to kill himself and her,” the affidavit states. “He would say he wanted her dead. The victim stated she was unable to exit Robert or the vehicle because he continued to hit her.”

In addition to the physical violence, the victim said Schutt forced her to send him money through a mobile payment app and threatened further harm if she did not comply.

Schutt initially denied knowing the victim, but later changed his story and admitted that they had traveled together. He claimed to have fainted during the incident and could not remember what happened.