Fugitive Captured Who Pleaded Guilty to Shooting Wife's Boyfriend

A Pasadena man who pleaded guilty to shooting his wife’s boyfriend – then fled the state while under house arrest awaiting sentencing – was arrested Thursday while sleeping at a Texas rest stop, authorities said.

Dennis Patrick Schultz, 54, of Pasadena, who failed to appear for his Aug. 11 sentencing, was arrested Thursday morning in Boerne, Texas, by Kendall County law officers, said prosecutors. The arrest took place about 30 miles north of San Antonio.

Schultz pleaded guilty June 23 to attempted second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. He was convicted of shooting Joe Krauss of Crownsville in February.

After his guilty plea, Schultz was released from jail to await sentencing; he was under house arrest with an electronic monitor. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of five to nine years in prison for Schultz, who must serve a minimum of five years without the possibility of parole, reports the Capital-Gazette.

“We got him,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams in a statement. “Criminals can’t escape the long arm of the law stretching from Anne Arundel County, Maryland. I’d like to commend our Sheriff’s office for leading the charge in this nationwide manhunt.”

Adams’ office has begun the extradition process to return Schultz to Annapolis. He will now face additional charges of second-degree escape.

Schultz was found asleep in the back of his Chevrolet Blazer at a rest stop on westbound Interstate 10 in Boerne, Texas. When officers checked his license plate, they discovered the vehicle had stolen tags. Once the officers ran his name they found that Schultz had an outstanding warrant in Anne Arundel County.

Adams’ office says officers apprehended Schultz without incident. He is being held at the Kendall County Adult Detention Facility. The extradition process could take up to 90 days, but Schultz could be in Maryland as early as next week, Adams said.

Background on the Crime

Schultz admitted in court that about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 25 he went to his in-law’s house in the 7600 block of Pine Haven Drive in Pasadena and asked to speak with his wife, Sandy. Officials say the couple had argued earlier.

At her parents’ house, Schultz took out a .32-caliber handgun and fired multiple shots at, Kraus, 55, hitting him in the arm. Schultz then pointed the gun at Sandy and she begged him not to shoot her. He left the premises with no other shots fired, police say.

Schultz then fled the scene in a white 2006 Ford pickup with “Dennis Schultz Contracting” written on the side, according to police. He was arrested later that day.

»Arrest photo of Dennis Schultz, courtesy of Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office