Former Conservation Club treasurer pleads guilty to theft

0

A Columbus man and the former treasurer of a Delaware County shooting club pleaded guilty to one count of theft in Delaware County Common Pleas Court Monday.

Mark B. Snodgrass, 63, of 4175 Lawnview Drive, Columbus, was scheduled to stand trial Tuesday in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to face two counts of theft, which are fourth-degree felonies, and one charge of tampering with records, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Prosecutors alleged that in 2015, while Snodgrass was the treasurer for the Big Walnut Conservation Club, located at 12211 Hartford Road in Sunbury, he took cash from the organization for personal use. The club offers club skeet, five-stand and trap shooting.

Snodgrass appeared in court Monday morning for a change of plea hearing after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Assistant Delaware County Prosecutor Andrew Bigler told Delaware County Common Pleas Judge David Gormley that Snodgrass would be entering a guilty plea to one of the theft charges and would agree to pay the club restitution in the amount of $21,133. As conditions of the agreement, the remaining theft charge and the tampering with records charge would be dismissed.

Bigler said another term of the agreement was that prosecutors at Snodgrass’ attorney, Lois Palau, would jointly recommend a sentence of three years community control.

Snodgrass was sworn in at the hearing and told Gormley that he had been the treasurer in the club since 1991 or 1992 and was in charge of taking cash dues from members and depositing it in a checking account.

Snodgrass Gormley that he started to take some of the money to pay bills. Palau said that Snodgrass took the money to pay for truck repairs and health problems.

“I understood it was wrong,” Snodgrass said. He added that one day he decided to turn himself in and told the club president about the money and tried to pay it back. He said he borrowed $21,133 from a family member and had already paid the restitution.

He added he was in the process of selling his house to repay his family member.

Gormley accepted his plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 28 at 8:30 a.m. Gormley said he is not required to follow the joint recommendation and said Snodgrass could go to prison for between six to 18 months.

Palau said this is Snodgrass’ first criminal offense and said he regrets the incident.

Mark B. Snodgrass being sworn in at his hearing Monday, along with his attorney Lois Palau.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/10/web1_DSC_1043.jpgMark B. Snodgrass being sworn in at his hearing Monday, along with his attorney Lois Palau.

By Glenn Battishill

[email protected]

Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

No posts to display