Murder indictment brought against man accused of killing Arizona pastor

PHOENIX — A man being held in the killing of a New River pastor has officially been indicted in his murder, according to authorities.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced charges against Adam Sheafe, 51, for the murder of William Schonemann on July 18.

Sheafe has been extradited to Maricopa County from Coconino County. 

A grand jury indicted Sheafe on the following charges:

• 1 count of first-degree murder, a class one felony
• 3 counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder, a class two felony
• 1 count of burglary in the second degree, a class three felony
• 1 count of Burglary in the first degree, a class two felony
• 1 count of Kidnapping, a class two felony
• 1 count of theft of means of transportation, a class three felony
• 1 count of criminal trespass in the second degree, a class two misdemeanor.

He appeared in court in Maricopa County, where he was given a $10 million cash bond.

Schoneman was found dead in his home on April 28, when two members of his congregation went to look for him.

“The pastor’s body had been positioned with the arms outstretched, similar to a crucifixion,” the MCAO said in the news release announcing the indictment.

Sheafe admitted to the crimes he has now formally been charged with in an earlier jailhouse interview with 12News.

During the interview, he also said he planned to “execute” and “crucify” a total of 14 priests in 10 states across the country.

The full interview is below.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said Sheafe is also accused of crimes in Cave Creek and Sedona. 

Sheafe is accused of breaking into a home in Cave Creek two days before the pastor was killed and stealing a pickup truck.

Sheafe was then spotted by police in Sedona.

“The stolen truck was found by Sedona police who were investigating a burglary in which Sheafe and the truck were captured on surveillance video,” the attorney’s office said. “He was caught the next day after breaking into another home in Sedona.”

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