April 22, 2015 — Bail has been set at $2 million for the ex-Torrance High School wrestling coach Thomas Snider, who is accused of sexually abusing at least 26 students, mostly at school.
Bail had previously been set at $900,000 after Snider was arrested on April 15. Yesterday, Judge Thomas Sokolov more than doubled his bail because he could be a threat to the community.
Snider pled not guilty to 33 felony counts of lewd conduct with children and eight misdemeanor counts of child molestation between 2013 and 2015.
Deputy District Attorney Hyunah Suh added another count of lewd contact with a child under 14. The incident occurred either in 1995 or 1996.
According to the Daily Breeze:
“A parent told the Daily Breeze that Snider touched boys inappropriately while making “skin checks” before wrestling matches. Coaches are required to look at wrestlers’ exposed skin — while they wear singlets — to make sure they do not have cuts or other diseases.”
An attorney for Snider said the skin checks occurred during Snider’s role as coach and nothing criminal occurred. His attorney also argued for a $100,000 bail because Snider has a diabetic condition and is not a flight risk.
The victims allegedly ranged in age from 13 to 16 years old. Snider was a teacher at Torrance High School since 1990 and was hired as the school’s wrestling coach two years ago. The criminal investigation opened in January after several students came forward to report the abuse.
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