Former Torrance Wrestling Coach Sentenced To 64 Years To Life For Molesting 25 Students
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A former Torrance High School wrestling coach was sentenced to 64 years to life Friday for sexually molesting 25 students.
Thomas Joseph Snider, 48, of Torrance, was found guilty of more than 25 felony counts earlier this month.
On Oct. 13, Snider was found guilty of 26 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child 14 or 15 years old, three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 and eight misdemeanor counts of child molesting, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
A jury also found true an allegation that there were multiple victims.
While working as a wrestling coach in 1995, 1996 and from 2013 to 2015, Snyder allegedly molested 25 students between the ages of 13 and 16 years old under the guise of inspecting them for skin diseases, according to evidence presented at the trial.
During the so-called skin inspections, Snyder made the victims take off their clothing and would sometimes touch the victims genitals, prosecutors said.
He also watched students shower and would massage several of them.
School officials became aware of the misconduct after students told opposing team members about the nude skin checks.
CBS2's Greg Mills spoke to the mother of one of the victims. She didn't hold back when asked if she thought the jail term was sufficient.
"Justice would be honestly if I could kill him myself," she said, "But that wouldn't work."
The mother -- who chose to not use her name or face on camera -- showed no mercy.
"I just wish him a painful, slow death," she said, "It's morbid, it's sick. That's what I wish. I wish him nothing but pain."
Mills said Snider stared forward and showed no emotion during the 90-minute sentencing.
During sentencing, the father of one of Snider's victims spoke out.
"I am confident the court will make the best decision you see fit to hold Mr. Snider responsible for the turmoil he has brought to our sons and families," the father said.
