FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2026) – Attorney General Russell Coleman and Commonwealth’s Attorney Hart Megibben announced today that joint action from their offices resulted in the indictment of an Illinois man on felony charges related to crimes against children.
A Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Michael Schuette, 41, on 14 counts to Procure or Promote Use of Minor by Electronic Means (Class B Felony) and five counts of Promoting Human Trafficking, Victim Under 18 (Class B Felony). He was also indicted for being a Persistent Felony Offender, First Degree.
According to the indictment, Schuette used a communication device to contact who he believed was a young girl on more than a dozen occasions between September and October 2026. He traveled from Illinois to Shelby County for the purpose of meeting the minor child. Schuette promised to give the child money, a car and jewelry, including a promise ring. He is a registrant on the Illinois sex offender registry.
The judge increased Schuette’s bond from $250,000 to $1,000,000. His picture is available here.
The investigation and arrest were the result of cooperation among the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Shelbyville, Elizabethtown, and Springfield (Illinois) Police Departments, and the United States Secret Service. The Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney Megibben, who serves Anderson, Shelby, and Spencer counties, will be prosecuting this matter on behalf of the Commonwealth, along with Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Zach Becker.
The Kentucky Supreme Court’s rule on trial publicity limits information the Office can provide publicly.
The charges in an indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.