Judge accepts plea deal for man who killed New River pastor

PHOENIX - A Maricopa County judge has approved a plea deal for Adam Sheafe, who admitted to killing New River Pastor Bill Schonemann.

The 76-year-old was found dead inside his home on April 28, 2025, in what investigators called a crucifixion-like scene.

What we know:

Under the deal, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Sheafe in the murder of Schonemann.

He agreed to the following charges and sentences:

• Count 1: Attempt to commit first-degree murder (Class 2 non-dangerous felony, repetitive) — 35 years in prison.
• Count 2: Criminal trespass in the second degree (Class 2 misdemeanor) — 4 months in jail.
• Count 3: Burglary in the second degree (Class 3 non-dangerous felony, repetitive) — 25 years in prison.
• Count 4: Theft of means of transportation (Class 3 non-dangerous felony, repetitive) — 25 years in prison.
• Count 5: First-degree premeditated murder (Class 1 dangerous felony) — Natural Life in prison.
• Count 6: Burglary in the first degree residential structure (Class 2 dangerous felony) — 21 calendar years in prison.
• Count 7: Kidnapping (Class 2 dangerous felony) — 21 calendar years in prison.
• Count 8: Attempt to commit first-degree murder (Class 2 dangerous felony) — 21 calendar years in prison.
• Count 9: Attempt to commit first-degree murder (Class 2 dangerous felony) — 21 calendar years in prison.

"Counts 1 and 2 run concurrently with each other but consecutively to Count 5. Counts 3 and 4 run concurrently with each other but consecutively to Counts 1, 2, and 5. Counts 6 and 7 run concurrently with Count 5. Count 8 runs consecutively to Counts 1 through 7. Count 9 runs consecutively to Counts 1 through 8," the court said.

Sheafe, who has been representing himself in court, previously asked the state to skip trial and execute him, but that changed after a personal tragedy. His father and stepmother died in a plane crash in Marana earlier this year. The couple had been returning from a University of Arizona Final Four game when their plane burst into flames.

After their deaths, Sheafe sent a letter to prosecutors asking for a plea deal. He agreed to plead guilty to all charges in exchange for a life sentence.

What they're saying:

Schonemann, who was 76 years old, was found dead inside his home in late April 2025. He was known by many as "Pastor Bill."

His son, Randy Schonemann, shared that the family is content with the decision, which will put Sheafe behind bars for the rest of his life.

Randy says the memory of his father is with him every day. "There's not many things, or many days that go by that I don't do something that makes me think of and remember dad," he said.

‘I think about him all the time’

"We are content with this plea deal," Randy said. "The fact that he will be in jail for life with no parole and not be able to hurt innocent people."

Sheafe confessed to the killing, saying he planned to target 14 pastors across the country, also admitting he was on his way to Sedona to kill two priests before he was arrested.

"I think about him all the time," Dennis Loeper, Pastor Bill's friend said.

Loeper said Pastor Bill was a proud member of the Red Devil's Hot Rod Club for decades. The group meets every Friday in a strip mall parking lot to talk, eat pizza, and drink lemonade.

"He was a mechanic, a welder, and he worked on everything," Loeper said.

Friends since the '80s, Loeper said it was Pastor Bill who inspired him to drive 50 miles north to church, and added he is still very much a part of the hot rod club.

"It's funny, every time we're out here, we're talking about something, a car or whatever, and he comes up," Loeper said. "Like, 'Oh, yeah, he used to do that' or ‘He built that.’ He was always talking. He was always engaged and very friendly with people."

What's next:

Sheafe's sentencing is Aug. 14.

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