Jefferson Pizza Ranch owner Robert Schultz, who pleaded guilty to an amended charge of criminal mischief- second degree and arson- third degree last month in connection with the fire that gutted his restaurant a year ago, was told to “pay up” before he takes a cruise in the Bahamas with his family.
Schultz was sentenced in December by Judge William Ostlund to prison time and fines, but both were suspended and he was placed on probation for three years.
He applied in district court for permission to travel, per the requirements of his probation. The planned trip, from Jan. 29 through Feb. 13, includes a five day Caribbean cruise and time at a vacation house in Florida. Shultz told the court he made a down payment on the trip in late December 2015 and made the last payment last August.
Judge Gary McMinimee approved the request, contingent on Schultz paying nearly $7,650 in costs and victim restitution.
In his ruling, McMinimee pointed to a July 9 application to hire a private investigator at state expense. Schultz said his attorney fees were being paid by a third part who had no obligation to support him, and that he had no funds to pay an investigator. “He did not disclose at that time that funds from his bank account were being used to pay for a Caribbean cruise,” McMinimee wrote.
Two neighboring businesses have recently filed their claims for restitution. H & R Block is seeking $1,000 for its insurance deductible, and Greene Bean Coffee is seeking $2,270.42 for its insurance deductible and uncovered expenses.
In his Jan. 18 ruling, McMinimee granted Schultz permission to leave Iowa only if he first pays the $300 probation enrollment fee and the $125 Law Enforcement Initiative surcharge as stated in the judgment in December, along with $3,953.45 for the private investigator and the victim restitution totaling $3,270.42.
