Kyle Snyder, an Olympic gold medalist and former Ohio State wrestler, was among 16 men arrested in a prostitution sting operation in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday. The 29-year-old was apprehended by local law enforcement during the operation on the city’s North Side.
Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert disclosed that the department had utilized online advertisements for escort services as a tactic to catch individuals attempting to engage in prostitution. Snyder allegedly contacted the police at around 8:15 p.m. on Friday after seeing the online ads. He later arrived at a nearby hotel, believing he was meeting with a legitimate escort service.
Upon his arrival, Snyder is said to have paid the undercover officer in cash and requested oral sex. This led to his arrest on charges of engaging in prostitution. He was subsequently released from the scene.
Snyder has had a notable wrestling career, especially during his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He secured three consecutive NCAA heavyweight championships from 2016 to 2018. In 2015, he played a crucial role in Ohio State’s team national title victory. His significant contributions to the sport were acknowledged in 2024 when he was inducted into the university’s athletics Hall of Fame.
While at Ohio State, Snyder also represented the United States in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. He made history as the youngest American wrestler to ever win gold at the age of 20. He continued his Olympic journey at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where he earned a silver medal.
In his most recent Olympic appearance, Snyder finished fourth in the 2024 Paris Games. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 19.