The Investigation
Missouri State University police began investigating after discovering the extensive damage to vehicles parked in a campus lot early Sunday morning. Surveillance footage captured images of a suspect, which investigators later showed to Schaefer during questioning.
When confronted with the video evidence, Schaefer acknowledged he could see the resemblance between himself and the person shown in the footage, according to the probable cause statement. At that point, court documents indicate Schaefer consented to a search of his iPhone.
The forensic examination of the device yielded two critical pieces of evidence: location data that placed Schaefer “at or near the scene of the crime” at the time of the vandalism, and the complete ChatGPT conversation history that prosecutors say amounts to a detailed confession.
Serious Charges and Strict Conditions
Schaefer is currently being held at the Greene County Jail on $7,500 bond. If released, he will face multiple restrictions designed to monitor his movements and behavior while the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.
The court has ordered that Schaefer be fitted with a GPS electronic monitoring device that will track his location at all times. He will be prohibited from entering any establishment where alcohol is the primary product sold, and he must submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
The felony property damage charge Schaefer faces carries significant potential penalties under Missouri law, including possible prison time and restitution to the vehicle owners for repair costs.
