Prosecutors say a Kansas City man gave teenage boys free iPhones, iPads or laptop computers to encourage them to view and produce pornography. Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd announced charges of promoting obscenity and sexual exploitation of a minor against Anthony R. Snyder.
Authorities allege Snyder, 30, encouraged seven boys to view pornography. He allegedly provided them free electronic devices, or altered their own, to make online connections with what they thought were young girls. The boys were then allegedly asked to send pictures of their genitals. The social media account for one of the purported girls was actually created and accessed at the IP address of Snyder’s residence.
“This case is another reminder for parents to be vigilant about how their children access the Internet, especially as they become teenagers,” Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said. “Police learned about this case from the boys’ parents. It is vitally important that parents supervise and regularly review their children’s access to cell phones, computers, and tablet devices.”
According to the probable cause statement, on May 13, 2015, officers with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department met with several boys, ages 12 to 15, and their parents. That meeting revealed suspicious activities between the boys and Snyder.
Snyder allegedly connected two boys with what were purported to be teenage girls on the KIK messaging service. The purported girl’s photos were allegedly photographs of a known, younger-looking female in the pornography industry.
Several of the boys completed forensic interviews with the Child Advocacy Center operated by Synergy Services. The interviews revealed that Snyder met the boys at St. Therese Catholic Church, at the Edge Gymnasium, or in his capacity as a coach with the Seahawks flag football team, which practiced at Congress Middle School and may have been affiliated with the YMCA Flag Football Program.
The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has already issued an alert about this incident because Snyder has been a parishioner of the St. Therese Parish in Platte County for some time. Snyder was a volunteer in youth ministry at the parish from 2006-2008. The Diocese does not believe he has been involved as a volunteer with any youth programs since 2008.
Prosecutor Zahnd said the Catholic Church has been completely cooperative with the investigation of Snyder, providing investigators with records involving Snyder’s volunteer status with youth in the church from 2006-2008. “I commend the church and thank them for their assistance with this case,” Zahnd said.
Snyder has been charged with seven counts of the class D felony promoting obscenity in the first degree. He is also charged with the class B felonies sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted exploitation of a minor. He is in custody in lieu of a $200,000 cash only bond. If convicted on all counts, Snyder faces up to 58 years in prison.
In the announcement, Zahnd said the case against Snyder remains under active investigation, and Zahnd said it is possible Snyder could be charged with additional crimes.
Zahnd asked anyone who had a suspicious interaction with Snyder or believes a young person has had a suspicious interaction with Snyder to contact the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department by calling the Platte County TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.