CLEAR LAKE – A person arrested by Clear Lake police who now identifies as a man says he was mistreated once in custody, and wants the record clarified.
On September 20, 2014, Clear Lake police arrested Kathryn Jane Schmidt on charges of speeding, interference with official acts and assault on a peace officer.
Since that arrest, the charges were completely dismissed.
Now 22-years-old, Kathryn Jane Schmidt has changed his name to Rory James Schmidt and identifies as a male.
Schmidt asked that the original arrest story be deleted. As this is not NIT policy to simply delete a story about an event, arrest or occurrence that did happen, we did offer to update the story with new details. Here is information that Schmidt shared about his arrest on September 20, 2014:
“This is a false report. Those charges were dropped because police needed a reason to hold me. I never assaulted a police officer. I was in the middle of a nervous breakdown from personal and relationship stress. The police are not trained to deal with people in times of crisis. That is why I actively advocate for mental health training for all peace officers. My mom had called the cops because she was worried about me. It was supposed to be a welfare check.
“I drove away from an officer while he was running my driver’s license due to psychosis, which is a temporary loss of touch with reality and disability in being able to relate to and effectively understand others. I was pulled over again and forcibly removed from the car I had borrowed. I was in the area looking for a quiet place to do some writing. The car was towed and law enforcement held me at the police station handcuffed to a wall. I wanted to leave, so I slipped the handcuff and tried to walk away. A police officer grabbed me, so I tried to slip past him. He then forced me to sit back down.
“My mom eventually showed up, and I was given two options. I could either go to jail or go with my mom. I was simply in need of a quiet place to journal my thoughts since one was not available at home. My mom thought I was suicidal and was crying, so I chose to go to jail because I didn’t understand why she was so worried. I didn’t understand that the police were serious about taking me to jail. The entire car ride I was begging them to just let me go write.
“In jail I was put in a padded cell. A female officer placed her knee on my back with my chin against the floor; while looking up at the lights, she cut off all my friendship bracelets I had received from the time I had spent over the summer working at a local camp. She proceeded to forcibly remove all of my clothing. I was left entirely naked in that cell for a whole day before I was provided with clothing. I repeatedly asked what my charges were and if I could call an attorney, but my requests were ignored. I was told the sheriff didn’t want me making any phone calls. The whole time I had no idea why I was behind bars. Sometimes I would request water and not be given any. I was actively rejecting food because my mental health symptoms worsened from being isolated for so long. Before finally being transported to a hospital, I did etch something on the cell door. A police officer asked me what I was doing, and I replied, “Leaving some advice for the next person.” If you ever visit that cell, I believe the words of hope I left for others says, ‘You do you. Love yourself. Let them all go.’
“I have since found out my condition is PTSD, which was worsened from my run in with law enforcement in Cerro Gordo County, but I am finally receiving adequate treatment for it and undergoing therapy.”
It’s also transphobic to deadname a trans person or out them publicly. Did they give you permission to post this picture? How much harassment do you think they get over it? Think before you post. Say that scared a peer, and that peer decided to attack them, or a jury saw this information, and decided guitly, thinking that it was true. Say a nurse saw this and decided to harm them, thinking they were a threat when they weren’t. I’m sick of mugshots being used on the internet to harass people. Innocent until proven guilty is so far dead.
I believe the posting is illegal. Is company policy racist/sexist? Is this some form of revenge porn? Or is it blacklisting? Upon initially posting were you trying to get this person targeted for additional police harassment or just blackmailing them for the laughs on the internet? How long was this posted before being updated? I bet there are some guys who keep posting the mugshot. Did you think this is a joke?
What a hick place this county is. That people are leaving in droves and it’s dying reflects the wrath of god.
Here you go North Iowa. Your first openly transgender person for you to ponder and learn from. Now’s your chance to stretch your mind beyond your religious and cultural backdrop to prove you’re not complete doofuses for life. By all means test for fraudulence, but if Rory wants to identify as a man for whatever reasons, then at minimal she–>he has the rights to safely be so. I personally don’t understand it all yet, but I do understand social alienation and what it means to walk down an individual path away from the confines of the group think. It’s challenging but also incredibly rewarding and empowering (provided you survive the initial onslaught). More power to you Rory. Keep writing, and honing that sharp pen.
And that Buzz Crumcutter will be shitting out a very abrasively painful brick when I’m admitted to law school in another couple years will be priceless. I just hope his plumber gets the toilet-cam installed by then, as I will cherish watching the bursting of every swollen polyp and roid as the brick pushes out Buzz’s disbelieving ass in multiple jagged pieces. He’ll need a blood transfusion shortly thereafter as the toilet flushes red. And if Buzz is around in 3 years after that to see me pass the BAR…I’m afraid he’ll need C-sections just to remove his waste.
She was born a she and will always be a she no matter what she wants. Just because she has a mental problem like Lagios is no excuse for thinking she can ever be a man. She makes up excuses for her behavior and brakes the law then ends up in jail and thinks she should have special treatment. A jail is not a mental institution and was never meant to be. This woman belongs in 5 east in a bed next to Lagios.
“Years” is not a word that you can use to describe anything you continue to actively do. Just curious if you have found some free version of law school that will accept you.
If the Cubs can win the World Series, I can go to law school. This is America pal. Anything’s possible. (Look at the election). If I only had a thousand bucks for every time I was subtly threatened on NIT, I would have law school tuition paid for. No, I get your insult…but at first I had to rule out a “Pee Wee Todd Blodgett Style Threat”. You’re basically saying I cannot keep up with anything I start. To that I would say that I have a right to live a Butterfly Life if I want to. I can dance around multiple flowers and occasionally get caught up in the wind. Just because you spent every day in a factory, doesn’t mean the rest of us need to. Google ‘Post Industrial Society’. Google “RESOURCE SURPLUS”.
Bragging about being threatened isn’t a badge of honor last time I checked. You can live a “butterfly existence” if you think you can pull it off, but you better watch out for birds and windshields. Most of us are actually wanting to get things done while you are flitting about. Not a threat, just the reality of the world we all have to live in today. You will have to pay down any debt you incur no matter of the level of knowledge you gain. That is how you will have to spend your resources in the future.
IF you are admitted / committed in to anything it sure won’t be a law school. Nope, you’ll be back in Mercy, very soon and on the sunrise side of the building about 5 floors up. In fact, after that little stunt you pulled the other day, I’d say you’d better call a cab and head that way now. What the hell gets into you, don’t you think at all?
What “little stunt” was that? Buzz, I’m surprised to hear you don’t believe in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. I’m surprised you don’t believe citizens have the right to conduct free commerce and make their own health care choices.
i think pEter.lagius is lookin for a date with Rorre. lol that’s what it seem like to me. lool.
It’s probably Peter postings under different names.
With all of the responses under different monikers, He, She or It is mostly just looking for attention.
He, She or It may need mental health care, but is not going to find it here.
I hope that He, She or It works on taking some responsibility for His, Hers or It’s actions.
I’ve only personally responded to like one person. I obviously have friends and fellow advocates who are backing me up; I am part of many different communities. And my pronouns are he/him/his. No need to be transphobic, disrespectful, or dehumanizing. If I were looking for attention it wouldn’t be in Northern Iowa. I’ve gotten plenty from cops in that area. My simple, original, and reasonable request was that a previous article posted about me be taken down was denied. It wasn’t even really my first choice to have this published because it is not something I like discussing. It was the lesser of two evils. Keeping a presumptuous article up or providing an update and account of what really happened and advocating for mental health training for peace officers.
Perhaps I will take responsibility for my actions when law enforcement is held to the same regard and takes responsibility for theirs. Leaving me naked in a jail cell and denying requests for water simply because I was speeding and having mental health vulnerabilities is not humane or just. Denying my right to make a phone call is not just.
You are very lucky that you were not pussy grabbed by Trump.
Taking responsibility for your actions is something you should ALWAYS do as a responsible adult.
I have taken responsibility for other people’s actions before (like in this situation). The cops obviously took out their personal aggression on me.
It wasn’t exactly your first Rodeo there Kathryn / Rory.
Waverly Police Department
April 21, 2013
At 5:46 p.m., police investigated a suspicious vehicle on 11th Street
Southeast. Subsequent to the investigation, police
arrested Kathryn Jane Schmidt, 19, of Waverly, for
possession of a controlled substance and possession of
drug paraphernalia
Story County Sheriff
Dec. 30, 2013
Kathryn Jane Schmidt, 19, arrested for failure to appear-non felony arraignment.
Because pot is such a tragic crime. There are so many victims from the non-violent drug offense; forget the health benefits and it’s effective treatment of mental health symptoms.
I believe that charge was dismissed as well. It is all too common for people suffering from mental health conditions to self medicate with drugs. #whosesuprised
My run in with WPD was less than alright as well. I was with a friend parked at a park about to go for a walk on a hiking trail. The cops wanted to search my vehicle, and I told them no and that they would have to get a warrant. They called for backup. A police dog circled my car 4 times never alerting to smelling any sort of substance. The cop threatened to throw me on the ground and put me in handcuffs and told me he was entitled to my keys. I tried to call a lawyer, but it was a Sunday. My car was illegally searched and my friend’s pipe was found. I took the fall for it. Don’t tell me I don’t take responsibility for my actions. I have taken the responsibility of other people’s actions countless times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdiPK3-K5is
Here’s his video that talks about this more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HLxJtSG7SM&t=1s
You state you lose touch with reality and we are supposed to believe your story?
The amount of mental illness is astonishing, be sure to keep up on that therapy.
The best way I have ever heard of anyone putting an experience of psychosis is that it is like putting your hand in a bowl of m&ms only to discover once they are in your mouth someone mixed in a bunch of skittles. It’s not like completely losing touch with reality. It is perceiving reality differently, so like having altered thought patterns that may be obscure. Like thinking people are out to get you when that is simply not the case at all. The connection to physical reality and the experience of what is happening is still intact. You may just be more willing to accept whatever BS is coming your way because it is a state of intense vulnerability. I believe this person 100%. Police brutality and lack of empathy and compassion has become the norm, and what we allow will continue. I think the police should be investigated for this. Why would someone make something like this up?
Thank you for your well reasoned insight and observations. Looking forward to more of your contributions.
Cops are not mental health professionals. IF you need that kind of help go to a mental hospital otherwise don’t brake the damn law and you won’t have any problems with law enforcement. IF you new enough to ask what you were charged with and for a phone call you were not out of your mind. Give me a brake.
Cops are not, but they deal with people with mental health conditions all the time. They should be trained to better respond. And this person is saying they were in a state of psychosis. As someone with experience on that topic I can only imagine that they were having difficulty communicating and understanding what was going on. Psychotic symptoms can be really confusing. It doesn’t sound like they were given any reasons why they were being held and cops were not respecting their wishes to go do some journaling or whatever. As for speeding, the officer could have just given him a ticket and sent him on his way if his mother hadn’t been so involved. Nothing about this seems like he assaulted anyone – just wanted to get away from law enforcement and his family for awhile. Sounds like he was physically and potentially emotionally abused by law enforcement though…
If she was truly thrown into a padded cell, stripped naked, and deprived of water, that is horrific and needs to be investigated by the DCI. They need to either verify her claims or clear the CLPD. I have a very difficult time believing her story. She admits to being psychotic – disconnected from reality. It’s hard telling what her brain was conjuring up during her time in jail.
I do think the DCI should be up in Cerro Gordo County. My experiences with law enforcement and the judicial system have been ridiculous there. Psychotic doesn’t mean crazy or dangerous. That is a common stereotyped that science has debunked. My psychosis actually worsened (from the isolation in that cell) to such a degree that I was thinking that it was an episode of one of my favorite television shows: Dr.Who. I thought Dr. Who was real. I was literally harmless. And had I just been sent on my way or gotten medical assistance, I would have been fine. You should call the county jail and ask them if that is still written on the door. I remember writing it while I was completely naked with only a blanket for cover.
This a prime example of why cops should wear body cams. The entirety of my stay in jail was recorded as well as the interactions with law enforcement at the police station.
If the DCI would investigate and finds there is no basis to the claims made by Schmidt, then the cost of the investigation should be billed to him / her.
I also wonder how Schmidt was able to etch anything on a cell door or why she wasn’t charged with destruction of public property.
The door had a material covering the could be scratched off. There were already tons of other words and graffiti on walls of the cell.
Sounds like he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and has sort of a helicopter mom. He was 20 when that happened? I wonder why she was so worried.
Im gonna call BS on this one.
Your going to gaslight someone because you have a bias for law enforcement, don’t you? Abuse of power is more common than you think.
What an absolute bunch of crap. Let the entire world change it’s policies because you want to violate society’s laws and then try to hide behind your own personal issues. Sure, violate laws and understandably the cops should just let you out of their vehicle so you can “journal” about your issues. I don’t know why people just wouldn’t understand such a simple and reasonable request. And obviously it’s law enforcement’s fault and not your own life’s predicament that you created, that’s why you would make the reasonable choice to got to jail rather than home with your own mother. I can only imagine the story of how you got PTSD and who you blamed that on. Somehow I doubt it was from serving in the military.
PTSD is not exclusive to military service. It is about experiencing trauma. You don’t think being isolated and left naked in a jail cell and man handled by police would be traumatic? Police are supposed to protect and serve. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t understand such a simple and reasonable request either. And that’s the point. Someone without a mental health condition in the midst of psychosis would have simply gone home with their mother. No one ever said it was law enforcement’s fault, but they could’ve responded with First Aid and active listening rather than judgement. And mental health reform does need to happen. It is a huge issue.
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-sheriffs-at-the-front-lines-of-mental-health-crisis-20160829
Lollypop -lollypop – OH lollypop !
It sounds like all of her (yes, she is still a she) no matter what she wants to be called, issues were self induced. Wanted to be called something other than what you were born is a sure sign of mental illness. I am positive the police would have different opinion of the facts.
It’s actually a sign of healthy self expression and relating and connecting to the world differently than the vast majority of people. It is not a sign of a mental health condition. Gender dysphoria is a medical condition with symptoms that include depression and anxiety resulting from living in a transphobic society. This account is factual. I know this person personally. Who would make something like that up?
You are wrong. It is a mental condition. Just because you don’t like the world does not give you a excuse to change it. It is called life. We are all dealt cards we don’t like and have to learn to live with it. Of course if you are liberal you are mentally impaired anyway.
Moral of story? Never mess with a writer. I’d think civilians (and authorities) would understand that by now? Judge was mitigating a potential law suit. Judge did the right thing by dropping all charges. Oppression and tyranny against intellectuals WILL NOT be tolerated.
Moral of the story? If you are distraught, please do not endanger the public by speeding in a motor vehicle and then disobey peace officers when they try to figure out what is going on. Writers like Peter don’t run the world, they just describe the one they want to live in.
When does this account say anything about disobeying peace officers? This person simply should have been taken to the hospital or crisis center to begin with.
Drove away while the license was being run. If you are pulled over, you are there until you are told you can leave. If you are cuffed to a wall, it’s not until you can escape. You are there until you are told you can leave. The officers job it so assess the subject to see if they are wanted on charges or that they might be a danger to themselves or others. If the person will not stay put long enough to make that determination, they SHOULD be forcibly detained if nothing more than for public safety. If that be in an institution, so be it. If they had sped off and smashed into another car and hurt someone (going well over the speed limit) you would be asking why this distraught person wasn’t detained. This isn’t difficult. If you are too stressed to drive a car safely, don’t. If you get stopped by police, you wait until you are cleared to leave. Let them do their job. They are officers of the law not baby sitters that need to make sure they don’t hurt anyone’s feelings while trying to keep the public safe.
I was experiencing psychosis. The officer said something to me, and the way my brain interpreted it was him telling me that I was okay to leave. It’s not my fault I was having problems understanding. I was genuinely confused the entire time and vulnerable. I also didn’t know why I was taken from my car and to the police station. A cop never told me that they were issuing me a speeding ticket or anything. And when I drove off I wasn’t speeding.
How would you feel if you were handcuffed to a wall without explanation rather than just asked to have a seat and patiently wait and treated with respect? Handcuffs weren’t necessary.
As long as you keep ringing that “not my fault” bell for things you have done, your life will not get easier.
How can you say it is my fault that I was manhandled and mistreated by police simply for speeding and driving away while they were running my license because I was genuinely confused? I am not responsible for the action’s of law enforcement and the way they treated me. I would have gladly simply taken a speeding ticket and gone on my way, but no one ever said anything about speeding to me or why I was being held.
You are saying she is an intellectual? LOL
Someone with a mental health condition can be intellectual, especially if the choose writing as a means to express them self. Why are you judging him when you don’t even know him?
i think you have more issues than just that journal you refer to
The article said there were two options offered to the person, 1.) Go with the parent or 2.) Go to jail, one option was chosen by the person.