“America’s Most Wanted”

Chess champ to be featured on ‘Most Wanted’
BY NATE TAYLOR • October 22, 2009

In 2005, he got the attention of Fort Collins police, who arrested him after an investigation that turned up evidence he sexually assaulted multiple boys he taught through his Fort Collins-based Chess for Juniors.

And now, after his release from jail and failing to report for sex offender intensive supervision probation, “America’s Most Wanted” is shining it’s spotlight on Snyder.

The nationally televised show dedicated to helping law enforcement agencies track down fugitives will feature Snyder’s case at 7 p.m. Saturday on Fox.

“What stood out about this case is the fact that we have a man who is using his talents and business to get close to children and to victimize them,” said Michelle Sigona, a national correspondent for “America’s Most Wanted.” “There could be others out there who have not come forward because Snyder is probably the most well-known person in the chess community.”

Snyder pleaded guilty in 2007 to felony sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and two misdemeanor counts for unlawful sexual contact. He agreed to serve two years in jail for the misdemeanor charges and, upon his release, which turned out to be a year and a half later, he agreed to serve 10 years on intensive supervision probation.

He also would have been required to register four times each year as a sex offender.

Snyder was released from the Larimer County jail on Aug. 24, 2008, and was given five days to register as a sex offender. He also was supposed to meet with his probation officer the day of his release but never showed.

Felony warrants have been issued for two counts of failure to register as a sex offender and for probation revocation for sexual assault on a child.

A genius when it came to chess, Snyder used his internationally known chess skills to make money by writing multiple books, starting Chess for Juniors in Fort Collins and charging $40 per hour for the chance to play chess against him online.

Here is the full article.