ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE
Case #17CF1017
Date: September 1, 2017
*Defendant also convicted of engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor student
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A varsity football coach was sentenced yesterday to nine months in county jail for initiating a 10-hour standoff with police and engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor student at El Modena High School (EMHS).
Defendant: Michael James Snitzler, 27, Santa Ana
Pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2017, to:
- Felony
- Possession of a firearm in a school zone
- Misdemeanor
- Possession of ammunition on school property
- Unlawful sexual intercourse
- Nine months in county jail
Sentence: Five years of formal probation
Circumstances of the Case
- At the time of the crime, Snitzler was employed as an assistant varsity football coach at EMHS in Orange.
- In February 2017, the defendant met a 17-year-old minor student and communicated with the victim via text messages.
- In March 2017, the defendant engaged in a sexual relationship with the minor student.
- At approximately 10:45 a.m. on April 23, 2017, the defendant’s family member contacted Orange Police Department (OPD).
- Snitzler locked himself inside of an office at EMHS with a loaded firearm.
- The defendant was in a standoff with OPD for 10 hours before surrendering. OPD arrested the defendant at approximately 8:30 p.m.
- During OPD’s investigation, police discovered Snitzler’s relationship with the victim.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Raymund Diaz, Central Justice Center
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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718
Michelle Van Der Linden,Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486
