DADE CITY - Former St. Rita's Catholic Church priest Robert Schaeufele is scheduled to plead guilty next week on a charge that he molested a boy over a four-year period in the 1980s.
The move is not unexpected. Schaeufele last week pleaded guilty in Pinellas County to two attempted sexual battery charges, part of a plea bargain that sends him to prison for 30 years. He was required to admit he had molested the boys as part of the deal but was spared life in prison required in the original charges of capital sexual battery.
Prosecutors at the time said Schaeufele, 55, would enter the same plea in Pasco County on the charge of capital sexual battery awaiting him from his days at St. Rita's.
A hearing is set for July 3 at 9:30 a.m. in Dade City for Schaeufele to enter his plea. Prosecutors said he is expected to receive a 30-year sentence, concurrent with the 30-year sentence he received in Pinellas County.
According to arrest reports, Schaeufele molested a boy under the age of 12 in the 1980s when he was a priest at St. Rita's.
In all, Schaeufele served in nine churches in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Sarasota counties.
