Samuel Eric Snell, 46, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for producing child pornography. The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“There is nothing more despicable than repeatedly abusing children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “We are seeing too many cases like this in Minnesota and every single one of them is unacceptable. Children in Minnesota deserve our protection and those who exploit them will face severe federal consequences.”
Snell used the gaming platform Discord over several years to solicit and receive more than 400 nude images from minor girls while posing as a man in his early 20s. He contacted children as young as 12, manipulating at least ten victims into creating explicit images and meeting some minors in person.
During sentencing, prosecutors argued that Snell targeted vulnerable victims by exploiting their youth and difficult life circumstances through prolonged manipulation involving thousands of messages across multiple states.
Judge John R. Tunheim presided over the case in U.S. District Court, stating, “This is a long sentence, but it is justified” primarily because Snell’s many victims would suffer traumatic effects of his crimes “probably for the rest of their lives.”
“Samuel Snell is a classic child predator, and today he received an appropriately harsh sentence,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Snell targeted vulnerable children, including those who had existing mental health concerns. He callously groomed and manipulated at least 10 children with total disregard for their wellbeing. The FBI will work tirelessly to identify and arrest anyone who preys on innocent children.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from Inver Grove Heights Police Department and Woodbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C. Weir prosecuted the case.
