BISMARCK, North Dakota –
A federal grand jury in North Dakota has returned a seven-count indictment against Sean D. Snyder, accusing the 46-year-old U.S. citizen of repeatedly traveling to Phuket, Thailand, to sexually exploit two minors over a span of more than six years.
Court records unsealed this week allege that Snyder, formerly of the Bismarck area, made multiple trips to Phuket specifically intending to engage in illegal sexual acts with children. Prosecutors say the abuse of the first victim spanned from approximately 2018 until late November 2024, while the second victim was allegedly targeted between 2023 and mid-August 2025.
The indictment charges Snyder with:
– Three counts of traveling internationally with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct
– Three counts of actually engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places
– One count of possession of child sexual abuse material
Authorities reportedly discovered one explicit image and one video involving a minor on a smartphone seized from Snyder.
Snyder was arrested earlier this month and is currently being held without bond at the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center in Bismarck. He made his initial court appearance on Monday, November 24, and entered a not-guilty plea during arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota with assistance from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. Further details about the investigation and the victims have not been disclosed to protect their privacy. The photo and name of the suspect was openly released by North Dakota authorities.
If convicted on all counts, Snyder faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each of the travel and conduct charges, plus an additional mandatory minimum of 10 years for the possession count.
