SnoTown Brewing’s Frank Sandoval in 2019. (Aaron Swaney)

SnoTown Brewing’s Frank Sandoval in 2019. (Aaron Swaney)

SnoTown Brewery owner charged with child molestation

Frank Sandoval conceded his conduct with a girl at his brewery was inappropriate, but he denied touching her sexually, charges say.

SNOHOMISH — The girl and her family had been customers of SnoTown Brewery in downtown Snohomish for years.

Then one day the girl didn’t want to go there anymore.

Prosecutors allege the owner, Frank Sandoval, had been touching the girl inappropriately over the course of about a year. Sandoval was charged Thursday with second-degree child molestation, a felony.

Around the end of 2020, the defendant reportedly asked the girl’s mother if her daughter could help out at the brewery, according to charges filed in Snohomish County Superior Court. The girl was under 12 at the time. She would work with Sandoval, now 48, and his son.

When the son would leave, she would be alone with the brewery owner. He would ask her to sit on his knee or kiss his cheek for pictures while they were alone, prosecutors alleged. He told her “come here” and pulled her by the waist to take the photo, according to the charges.

The touching continued every time they were alone, court papers say. Sandoval would have her sit on his knee, ask about her day and put his hand up her shirt. The girl later said she was “super uncomfortable.” She would try to lean away.

Sandoval told her she didn’t have to sit on his lap if she didn’t want to. But he would also pull her without asking, according to court documents.

“Because of this, the victim felt as if she couldn’t say or do anything to make it stop,” deputy prosecutor Bob Langbehn wrote in the charges.

He’s also accused of touching her breast and pulling on her clothes so he could see her underwear. During a costume party, he told the girl she was “way more attractive” than the grown women there, according to the charging papers.

In texts with the girl’s mother, Sandoval would ask for pictures of the preteen girl. On one occasion, he asked for a zoomed in picture of the girl in a bathing suit. He claimed he just wanted to see what kind of suit it was.

In October 2021, the girl told her mom she didn’t want to be alone with Sandoval. Crying and shaking, she told her mom what had been happening, according to court papers.

After the mom’s husband came home, the two confronted Sandoval in person. He appeared to be in shock and turned white, the charges say. Sandoval apologized and said he didn’t know what he was thinking. He told them he’d question himself when she would leave, but do it again when she came back.

In a voluntary police interview shortly after, Sandoval reported the girl had worked at the Snohomish brewery dozens of times in 2020 and 2021. He told a detective he had her sit on his lap because he was hard of hearing, according to the charges. He conceded that was inappropriate. But Sandoval denied touching her in a sexual way, while noting he’d never known the girl to make up stories.

Sandoval reportedly told police he felt terrible for hurting the girl.

Prosecutors didn’t object to Sandoval remaining out of custody. Prosecutors asked a judge to order the defendant have no contact with the girl or her family. An arraignment date hadn’t been set as of Friday.

No defense attorney was listed in the case file. He has no prior criminal history, according to court records.

A Herald reporter’s phone call to Sandoval’s business went unanswered Friday.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

For help

If you are concerned about the safety of a child, you can contact Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center at 425-789-3000, or call state Child Protective Services at the statewide End Harm line (866-363-4276). The Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse also operates a 24-hour crisis line: 425-252-4800.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas talks to the crowd about the new "Imagine Monroe" city flag and symbol before the ribbon cutting on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe unveils its new $17M City Hall and municipal court

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas showcased the new campus to residents, local and state officials during a celebration Monday.

National Weather Service issues red flag warning for slopes of Cascades

High temperatures, low humidity and winds are combining for critical fire weather conditions, either “imminent or occurring now.”

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.