By SCOTT NORTH and KARL SCHWEIZER
Herald Writer
SILVER FIRS – When he was released from prison earlier this year, convicted rapist Anthony D. Snow sent a chill through his new neighborhood.
More than 200 people packed into Totem Falls Elementary School in March for a special meeting on the registered sex offender. Many expressed fear that he may rape again.
Snohomish County prosecutors on Tuesday alleged those fears were well-founded. At a brief hearing in Everett District Court, they said there is probable cause to believe Snow, 32, on Monday committed second-degree rape, second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment, all against a 14-year-old girl.
Moreover, they alleged the man’s wife, Shawn R. Snow, 24, may have committed unlawful imprisonment and witness intimidation in connection with the case.
No charges have been filed.
The couple on Tuesday appeared before Judge Pro Tem Arnold Young, who ordered Shawn Snow jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail and Anthony Snow jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Deputy prosecutor Scott Lord said the high bail is justified for Anthony Snow, in part, because he faces a potential punishment of life in prison without release under the state’s persistent offender law.
Snow’s criminal history includes robbery, auto theft and rape.
In July 1992, Snow sexually assaulted two young King County women within a two-week period. The victims were 17 and 20 years old. On Jan. 22, 1993, he was convicted of one count of second-degree attempted rape and two counts of second-degree rape and sentenced to 81/2 years in prison. While in prison, Snow participated in sex offender treatment, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office in March issued a public alert about Snow’s release, classifying him as Level 3 sex offender. The category is reserved for sex offenders authorities believe are most likely to reoffend.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said the new allegation involves a girl who was baby-sitting for the Snows. The girl told her parents about the alleged sexual assault, and they notified police.
The new allegation, not Snow’s status as a registered sex offender, was the driving force behind the investigation, Jorgensen said. "We were not targeting him," she said.
The news of Snow’s arrest evoked dismay, if not surprise, from neighbors.
Lisa Phillips feared for her 11-year-old daughter, who rode the bus to school every day from their home down the street from Snow.
"He got out (of prison) March 31. This is July 11. I don’t know if this reform stuff works," Phillips said.
"I feel sorry for the victim," said Bill Beegle, who lived across the street from Snow.
"Frankly I just felt awful," said Linda Carbajal, who lived eight houses away from Snow, about the allegations.
Carbajal, a Block Watch captain, had said in March that neighbors were worried about their children.
Tuesday, she questioned whether the babysitter’s parents knew their child was working for a registered sex offender.
"It just makes me feel sick. We’d been praying for this guy. We’d hoped he’d work it out."
You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431or send e-mail to
north@heraldnet.com
You can call Herald Writer Karl Schweizer at 425-339-3452or send e-mail to
schweizer@heraldnet.com
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