Charges dismissed against Cole Snyder

Felony sexual abuse of a child and dangerous drug charges were dismissed against Cole Snyder, the 18-year-old state wrestling champion.

Snyder was arrested Feb. 15 while getting off a Ronan School District bus returning home from the state wrestling championship, which he won.

The Lake County District Court in Polson officially closed the case yesterday, July 21 after District Court Judge James A. Manley dismissed the case without prejudice pursuant to a prosecution agreement, court records said.

Snyder, a Ronan High School senior at the time of his arrest, was booked into Lake County Jail and released Feb. 15 after receiving a Lake County Sheriff’s Office citation for two felony counts.

Snyder was among eight Ronan High School students who are involved with this case, but he was the only one of legal age at the time of the arrest, according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.

Snyder was charged with felony sexual abuse of children by coercing or enticing a child under 16 years of age to engage in sexual conduct and felony distribution of dangerous drugs by selling or giving any dangerous drug to another.

Snyder was arrested at Ronan High School by Lake County Sheriff’s deputy Levi Reed, his citation said.

Snyder won the Montana State Wrestling Championship Feb. 14. He appeared in Lake County Justice Court Feb. 18 where Justice Court Judge Randal L. Owens informed Snyder of his legal rights and offered him public defense, a Justice Court representative said.

Snyder and five of the others arrested were ultimately re-admitted into Ronan High School