Judge sets bail at $750,000 for Vancouver man accused of conspiracy to commit child molestation
May 8-A judge Friday set bail at $750,000 for a Vancouver man tied to a child molestation investigation involving two others, including a Clark County pediatrician.
William J. Sneiderwine, 61, appeared in Clark County Superior Court on allegations of first-degree conspiracy to commit child molestation and tampering with physical evidence.
Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department's Digital Evidence Cybercrime Unit arrested him at his home Thursday.
Police said they believe Sneiderwine is connected to Chad Hartley, 36, and Dr. Michael Wilmington, 61. Investigators say Wilmington hosted naked sleepovers with at least one young child, known to Hartley, at his La Center residence.
Hartley is being held in the Clark County Jail on multiple child sex abuse allegations. Wilmington was found dead along a Lewis County highway May 2, one day after an arrest warrant was issued for first-degree child molestation.
Due to a conflict of interest, the county public defense office could not screen Sneiderwine on Friday for a public defender. The hearing was set over to Monday.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Laurel Smith told the court Sneiderwine is a registered sex offender. Court records state he has two convictions from 1999 and 2000 in Indiana involving a 14-year-old boy he met online.
Smith said Sneiderwine may have been previously employed as a teacher and called the discovery concerning. She also said that prior to his arrest, Sneiderwine destroyed evidence that authorities believe was connected to Hartley and Wilmington.
Court records state that Sneiderwine introduced Hartley to Wilmington at a nude bowling event in Battle Ground.
Sneiderwine and Hartley reportedly met in a nudist Facebook group in 2024 or earlier. Hartley's wife told police Sneiderwine was one of two friends - the other being Wilmington - who came over to the couple's house, where clothing is optional, according to court records.
Court records outline text messages between Sneiderwine and Hartley discussing being naked and aroused around a young child.
Smith, the deputy prosecutor, said Sneiderwine allegedly encouraged Hartley to assault a child. Sneiderwine is active in web forums involving family nudity, she said, and allegedly encourages sexual assault.
In searching Sneiderwine's home, investigators found a smashed hard drive, court records state.
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