Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sentencing delayed for couple accused of sexual abuse

Updated Thursday, April 22, 2010 | 5:46 p.m.

Click to enlarge photo

Mary Vonseydewitz

Click to enlarge photo

Fred Vonseydewitz

Sun Coverage

A sentencing hearing was delayed Thursday for a husband and wife who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from allegations of sexually abusing their children when they were minors.

The now-adult children reported to police they had been sexually abused by Frederick Vonseydewitz, 45, and his wife, Mary, when they were minors. They were initially charged with numerous felony counts, including counts of lewdness with a child under the age of 14 and sexual assault with a minor under the age of 14, among other charges.

In January, both Frederick and Mary Vonseydewitz pleaded guilty to reduced charges. Thursday’s hearing was delayed because Frederick Vonseydewitz has indicated he wishes to withdraw his guilty plea.

The charges came after a brother and sister contacted Metro Police to report they had been abused by their mother, Mary, and stepfather, Frederick, when they were children. The siblings, who were in their early 20s when they contacted police, reported they had been subjected to multiple instances of abuse from 1996 to 2007.

The daughter said the abuse started when she was 8 years old, court documents indicate, and a 1999 incident was reported to Child Protective Services, but the girl was told to deny the reports, court documents indicate.

The woman told police in 2009 her stepfather first sexually assaulted her when she was 13 and that he had subsequently sexually assaulted her multiple times.

Records indicate the brother told police he had been sexually assaulted by both his mother and stepfather starting at age 10 and until he was 14 or 15 years old.

The brother and sister both told police there were times Frederick and Mary Vonseydewitz forced them to participate in sex acts with both parents at the same time.

As the case progressed through the court system, a number of the felony counts were dismissed after arguments by the Vonseydewitzes' attorneys. Under the plea agreement on record, each pleaded to two felony counts pertaining to just one of the children.

Mary Vonseydewitz has been out of custody after posting $150,000 bail. Frederick Vonseydewitz has remained in custody since his arrest in January 2009.

Frederick Vonseydewitz’s attorney, Robert Draskovich, withdrew from the case Thursday and a new attorney is set to be appointed at a Tuesday status check on the case.

The plea agreements were conditional on both the husband and wife pleading guilty, meaning if Frederick Vonseydewitz withdraws his plea, Mary Vonseydewitz’s plea deal would be rescinded.

CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the history of the case.

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