PHUKET, THAILAND – A U.S. citizen from North Dakota was indicted on seven federal charges over alleged long-term sexual abuse of two minors in Phuket.
Alleged years-long abuse of minors in Phuket
According to the indictment, Sean D. Snyder from North Dakota was accused of abusing two young victims over an extended period in Phuket. The alleged crimes took place between 2018 and November 2024, with prosecutors stating he travelled to Thailand specifically to engage in illegal sexual conduct.
A federal grand jury found sufficient evidence to bring the serious charges. The indictment stated that Snyder allegedly travelled repeatedly to Phuket for this purpose.
“Snyder repeatedly travelled to Phuket to engage in lewd sexual acts,”
said prosecutors in the official indictment.
Seven-count federal indictment
Four of the charges related to a first victim, with the alleged abuse said to have occurred between 2018 and late November 2024. Two further counts concerned a second underage victim, with those offences dated between 2023 and mid-August 2025.
The seventh count involved possession of child pornography on Snyder’s smartphone. Investigators secured one video and one image as evidence.
Suspect held without bail in North Dakota
Snyder was already in custody and was being held at the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center in North Dakota. Judges denied him bail ahead of trial.
He was expected to appear before a U.S. federal court in the near future, with the main hearing awaited with interest. Prosecutors had not yet disclosed further details of the investigation, suggesting the evidence was substantial.
Cross-border investigation between Thailand and U.S.
The case highlighted close cooperation between Thai authorities and U.S. agencies. Officials noted that offenders targeting children in Thailand were repeatedly being brought to justice.
Thai police were working closely with Homeland Security Investigations to track down suspected sex offenders. For the victims, the indictment was described as a late sign of justice, although the psychological damage was expected to last a lifetime.
Phuket’s vulnerability and tougher enforcement
The popular holiday island of Phuket remained a draw for paedophiles hoping to hide within mass tourism. Offenders were believed to count on anonymity to avoid detection.
Thai authorities had stepped up their investigations, with more suspects being pursued internationally and tracked across borders. The case was seen as sending a clear warning to sex offenders that Thailand was not a safe haven for such crimes.
PROTECT Act and possible penalties
The United States was pursuing its citizens for crimes committed abroad under the PROTECT Act, which allows prosecution of child abuse worldwide. This law enabled charges against Snyder despite the alleged offences taking place in Thailand.
If convicted, Snyder faced potential decades in prison, as each count could carry a sentence of up to 30 years. The case was described as both a victory for the innocent victims and a blow against international networks of child abusers.