Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder plans to plead guilty to lesser charge following arrest during prostitution sting

Photo by Matija Habljak/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images

Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder is expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge during a court appearance scheduled on Monday after he was arrested for engaging in prostitution during a sting led by police in Columbus, Ohio.

Snyder’s attorney Eric Hoffman informed local media that the former Ohio State wrestler plans to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. He was originally charged with engaging in prostitution.

According to court records, Snyder has been granted permission to appear over the phone or virtually by video conference for the arraignment hearing scheduled on Monday at 9 a.m. local time.

In Ohio, a fourth-degree misdemeanor is punishable up to 30 days in jail and/or a possible fine up to $250.

Snyder was one of 16 men arrested after Columbus Police led a sting operation to crack down on prostitution in the city. Police placed an online escort ad and Snyder allegedly responded with calls and texts before arriving at a local hotel where he propositioned an undercover officer by paying for oral sex.

He was then arrested without incident, charged and released at the scene.

The decorated wrestler, who has appeared in the past three Olympic games while capturing both a gold and silver medal, took to social media to address his arrest publicly for the first time.

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out with kindness and support,” Snyder wrote. “My focus is on my relationship with the Lord Jesus and my family. This is not conclusion of my journey.”

Snyder is currently scheduled to wrestle next on June 14 as part of the Final X series to determine who goes onto represent the United States at the Wrestling World Championships. Snyder already punched his ticket to the final match where he faces Hayden Zillmer with the winner moving onto the World Championships in Croatia in September.