Chesterfield man sentenced for online prostitution ring

A Chesterfield County man who said he started an Internet prostitution service because he was lonely and desired female companionship was sentenced to six months in jail today.

William H. Snyder, 51, of the 7300 block of Newbys Crossing Drive, pleaded guilty in September to money laundering and receiving funds from the earnings of a prostitute in connection with his escort-service business, called Dream Dates for You.

Circuit Judge Frederick G. Rockwell III sentenced Snyder today to a total of 20 years in prison but suspended 19 years and six months of that term.Taking the witness stand, Synder blamed his crimes on bipolar disorder, diabetes and severe depression resulting from back-to-back divorces that left him feeling like a failure.

"It was a business, but I wasn't operating it as a business," Snyder told the court. "It was more of a social function" to meet and keep the company of women.

But the judge didn't buy it.

"It doesn't follow that this was just a way for you to have friends," the judge said, noting that Snyder had many of the women perform personal sexual favors on him. "I don't see this as a product of bipolar, of depression."

"It sounds like a full-fledged business," Rockwell added.

For a full report of Snyder's crimes, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.

-- Mark Bowes