Santa Ana man charged with bringing a gun to a school and having sex with a minor

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: May 3, 2017

Case #17CF1017

VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH FACING CHARGES FOR INITIATING 10-HOUR STANDOFF WITH POLICE AT EL MODENA HIGH SCHOOL

*Defendant is facing additional charges for engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor student

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Michael James Snitzler, a varsity football coach is facing charges 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/Charges:

• Michael James Snitzler, 26, Santa Ana
• Charged on April 25, 2017:
• Felony:
  • Possession of a firearm in a school zone
  • Discharging or attempting to discharge a firearm in a gun-free school zone
• Misdemeanor:
  • Possession of ammunition on school property
• Additional misdemeanor charges filed on May 3, 2017:
  • Unlawful sexual intercourse
  • Child annoyance
• Maximum Sentence: 10 years and six months in state prison
• Court Date – Pre-Trial: May 12, 2017 at Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
• The defendant is currently in custody on $30,000 bail.

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 is accused of meeting a 17-year-old minor student and communicating with the victim via text messages.
• In March 2017, the defendant is accused of engaging 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 is accused of locking himself inside of a classroom at EMHS with a loaded firearm.
• The defendant is also accused of being 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

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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