Albert Snow To Trial
Albert Snow, 33, a former assistant chemistry professor at Arkansas Tech University is scheduled for trial in federal court in Little Rock, AR on October 2nd on allegations that he engaged in a sexually explicit online “chat” with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl and arranged to meet with the “girl” at an apartment, where he was instead met by police.
In January of this year, Snow allegedly fell victim to an internet sting conducted by the Russellville, Arkansas Police Department. The “girl” was in reality Russellville Detective Steve Barker. It is alleged that Snow engaged in these chats with the “girl” from both his home and from Arkansas Tech. Two days after his arrest on January 3rd, Snow resigned from his job at the university.
Initially Pope County prosecutors planned to charge Snow in state court, however they dropped their plans when federal prosecutors indicated they were going to charge Snow in federal court where stiffer parole guidelines generally ensure convicted felons spend more time behind bars than those tried in county circuit court.
Federal law requires penalties including a fine and period of imprisonment of not less than 5 years nor more than 30 years for an individual convicted of enticing or attempting to entice a minor to engage in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.
While Snow awaits trial, he is under electronic home confinement and been ordered to have no access to minors or Internet service.
Reference:
Not guilty plea in federal Internet stalking case (9/04/07)
Ex-professor pleads innocent to felony (8/30/07)