El Modena football coach who lived in Santa Ana gets 9 months in jail after sex with a minor student

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case #17CF1017

Date: September 1, 2017

VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS IN JAIL FOR INITIATING 10-HOUR STANDOFF WITH POLICE AT EL MODENA HIGH SCHOOL

*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