Former Torrance High School wrestling coach guilty of molestation

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- A former Torrance High School wrestling coach was found guilty on several counts of child molesting and lewd acts on Thursday.

Thomas Snider, the former head coach of the Torrance High School wrestling team, was found guilty of 26 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child 14 or 15 years old, three felony counts of felony lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, and eight misdemeanor counts of child molesting.

Prosecutors said the victims, more than two dozen teenage boys ranging in age from 13 to 16, were members of Snider's wrestling team.

The 48-year-old was a wrestling coach in 1995, 1996 and from 2013 to 2015. Authorities said Snider would molest the children under the guise of inspecting for skin diseases.

During the inspections, prosecutors said Snider would make the teens take off their clothes and would touch their genitals.

Snider showed no emotion as the clerk read the verdicts. He could face more than 37 years in prison at his sentencing.