Ex-Ohio State and Olympic wrestler Kyle Snyder speaks at prostitution plea hearing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Olympic champion and former Ohio State wrestler Kyle Snyder pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on Monday after he was arrested in a prostitution sting.
Snyder, an Ohio State alum and one of the most successful wrestlers in American history, was charged with engaging in prostitution on the evening of May 9 after internet ads for escorts were published by CPD’s Police and Community Together unit.
At approximately 8:15 p.m., police received over a dozen texts in response to the ad, with Snyder listed as one of those who responded. For a previous report of this story, view the video player above.
Approximately 25 minutes later, police said Snyder met an undercover officer at a hotel and paid them in cash to perform sexual acts. He was arrested by uniformed officers inside the hotel room and was one of 16 men charged during the sting operation.
On Friday, Snyder’s attorney confirmed that an agreement was in place in which Snyder would plead guilty to a lessor charge, disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
That offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to, but not exceeding $250.
In court Monday, Judge Cynthia Ebner issued Snyder a $250 fine based on the joint recommendation penalty between counsel. She also stated that Snyder's record would not be sealed for two years and that the money he agreed to pay the undercover officer posing as a prostitute, $160 per court documents, was forfeited.
Snyder, who was not in the courtroom, but appeared via conference call, also completed a course at The John School, a one day course designed for first-time offenders charged with solicitation.
In a statement during Monday's hearing, Synder said the process, "taught me a lot about myself" and that he "plans on making much better decisions."
"I learned about the impact these decisions have on not just my family but the community," he said.
Snyder, a Maryland native, completed a historic 2016 sweep of the NCAA, world, and Olympic championships before returning to Ohio State and defending his NCAA title in 2017. He won a silver medal in the Tokyo 2021 games and fell just short of a bronze medal in the Paris 2024 games.