WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A jury has convicted a Cass County man of sexual assault following an August 2022 incident at his Dowagiac residence.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Robert Schmeltz, 58, was convicted earlier this month. He was found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court testimony, Schmeltz was arrested after assaulting a 65-year-old woman working in the capacity of a home healthcare worker.
The woman had been assigned to provide weekly support for Schmeltz, according to Fitz.
Schmeltz weighs 350 pounds and became physically aggressive, held the victim down on a bed and forcibly removed her clothing.
The defendant maintained the encounter was consensual.
He will be sentenced Feb. 9.
