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Pocono News Section
Police Say School Official Molested a Student
Police Say School Official Molested a Student - Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 5:30PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 @ 05:30pm EST
PALMERTON, CARBON COUNTY - A high ranking Carbon County school official is charged with allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a student. Police believe it happened in the man's home and at area campgrounds.
People are talking about it all over Palmerton. "I was appalled," said Susan Sarik.
She couldn't believe police arrested Gary Snyder this week. He was the Director of Services for the Palmerton School District. She said, "This is a small town and we don't think these things can happen here - but I guess they can happen anywhere. You never know."
Police say the boy was in sixth grade when Snyder first molested him six years ago. The abuse apparently continued through the child's high school years. "It surprised me that he got away with it that long," aid Neal Stohl.
The boy didn't meet Snyder at school. Court papers show they met through a family friend. Those documents also show Snyder watched pornography with the child and engaged in several types of sexual behavior in several different locations. "It's amazing that nobody picked up on it but I guess they're good at hiding it," remarked Sarik.
Court documents reveal Snyder had sexual contact with the boy about 100 times. Ricky Horn of Palmerton said, "I think he should be shot. Anybody that has the nerve to touch somebody that young is disgusting."
Police said Snyder told them the boy is exaggerating. He apparently admitted to some of the sexual contact but not all of it.
Sarik said, "I think any child molester should be put in jail and left there forever."
Snyder is free on $100,000 bail. The school district's attorney said Snyder is suspended without pay. | | |
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