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

Michael James Snitzler

From Michael James Snitzler’s Facebook page

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.

From Michael James Snitzler’s Facebook page

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

###

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.

See Full Bio

Art Pedroza

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View Comments

Daniel Lynem says:

May 4, 2017 at 4:03 pm

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.

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

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