An Olympic gold medalist has been taken into custody in connection with allegations of engaging in prostitution as part of a significant police operation.
Kyle Snyder, a renowned wrestler, was arrested alongside 15 other individuals during what is being reported as a prostitution sting, according to WBNS 10TV.
Hailing from Maryland, Snyder achieved the distinction of being the youngest athlete to ever secure a ‘triple crown’ by winning world, NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), and Olympic titles in the men’s 97-kg freestyle wrestling category all in the year 2016.
Following his participation in the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Olympics, Snyder—nicknamed ‘Snyderman’—went on to secure the NCAA title two more times while at Ohio State. His achievement marked him as the first three-time heavyweight champion in nearly 30 years.
In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Snyder to serve as a member of the Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Council.
Recent reports indicate that a covert operation by Columbus police led to the 29-year-old being implicated in a prostitution sting conducted on May 9.
According to the news outlet, Snyder reportedly replied to an advertisement for a fictitious escort service, arranging a meeting with what he believed to be a sex worker at a hotel.
Allegedly, he provided cash to an undercover officer while requesting a sexual act. The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) stated they had posted an online escort advertisement as part of the operation to attract potential clients for paid sex.
On Friday night, May 9, around 8:15 PM, Snyder is said to have contacted the number on the ad to arrange the hotel meeting on the north side of Columbus, Ohio.
Snyder, who is openly Christian and religious, is married to Maddie Pack Snyder, a former Syracuse soccer player.
Michelle Hannon, serving as an anti-human trafficking program director for the Salvation Army in Central Ohio, commented to the media outlet: “The folks who are most frequently purchasing sex tend to be at a higher income level, but really across the spectrum it could really be anyone.”
Hannon elaborated on how purchasers might overlook the potential repercussions or effects on victims.
“There have been a number of studies that have looked at, have really posed that question. I mean, why? Why? Why buy sex? Why is that something that is happening?
“Of course that is an individual experience for lots of folks.”
Hannon continued, “The high profile nature of incidents like this can help someone to think that it is actually possible that there are consequences that arrest could follow and that would have implications for family, potentially for employment, that it really is something that isn’t guaranteed to remain hidden.”
Reports from the outlet suggest Snyder was released at the scene and has been scheduled to appear in court on May 19.
An additional report by PennLive mentions that Snyder had planned to conduct a wrestling clinic at Palmyra Middle School in Pennsylvania on May 16 and 17.
In a Twitter video, Snyder shared that the clinic would cover ‘fundamentals of wrestling, proper stance, proper head position, how to hand fight and dominate your opponent’.
He also expressed, “And we’re also going to be talking about the Lord Jesus. That’s the most important thing, how he’s going to change our life, bring us closer to him. Looking forward to seeing you guys. God bless.”