ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: May 3, 2017
Case #17CF1017
*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
He has a gun, creates a 10 hour standoff with the police, sexually molests a minor He does all that and his bail is only $30k. Absolutely unbelievable. I’ve seen bail higher than that for driving on a suspended license.