Former St. Clair County Sheriff pleads guilty in federal court to stealing recovered property

A former St. Clair County Sheriff has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing recovered property. United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Tammy Dickinson says, 47 year old Ronald Snodgrass, of El Dorado Springs, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Snodgrass served 3 terms as the elected Sheriff in St. Clair Country from January 1st, 2001 through December 31st, 2012. 

Snodgrass admitted that during his tenure, he illegally took possession of a John Deere zero turn mower, which was recovered as stolen property. Snodgrass allegedly keep the mower after an agreement between him and the insurance company was reached to take care of a falsified tow and storage bill. The mower, under state law, should have been sold at a sheriff's auction. Under federal statutes, Snodgrass is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $250,000. Snodgrass must also forfeit the John Deere mower and a 2009 Polaris Ranger UTV, which he illegally obtained in September of 2012. 

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of the presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.