Marshall County Man Pleads Guilty On Monday To Child Pornography Crime

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 3:45 P.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WHEELING, W.VA.- On Monday, December 16, 2024, Ryan Bobby Schnettler, 34, of Benwood, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone to one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

     According to U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, and charging documents filed with the court, Schnettler was under supervision for a prior sex offense conviction. During a mandatory home visit, Probation Officers found cell phones that were not documented as required by the terms of his supervision. When questioned by Probation Officers, Schnettler admitted to using the phones to access online chat rooms where he pretended to be a 17-year-old boy to talk to minors.

Investigators Find Hundreds Of Images Of Child Pornography

     After Schnettler’s phones were seized, probation officers gave them to law enforcement investigators, who performed a court-authorized search of the phones. During the search, investigators uncovered hundreds of digital images of child pornography. The phones also contained screenshots of chats with underage girls.

     Following entering his plea, Judge Mazzone accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for a time and date to be determined by the District Court. When sentenced, Schnettler faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

     U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld commended the investigative work of the U.S. Probation Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.