Dayton Predator Gets 22+ Years

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DAYTON, OH – David Snell, 37, is headed to federal prison for over 22 years after pleading guilty to preying on teenage girls online. Snell used fake profiles on Reddit to target vulnerable minors, ultimately coercing two victims – ages 16 and 17 – into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos.

Court documents show Snell spent months grooming the girls, building trust through online communication before manipulating them into sharing degrading content, including images depicting self-harm, for his own sexual gratification. He was indicted in August 2024 and entered a guilty plea in September 2025.

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II and Jared Murphey of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the sentence handed down today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. The prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national DOJ initiative focused on combating online child exploitation.