Former Choir Director Accused of Soliciting Minors Released on Bond
By Denise Yost
The man accused of attempting to trade nude photos and sex acts for positions in the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was released on bond Monday afternoon. Zachary Ruppel, 26, is facing two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and one count of compelling prostitution. He appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Monday afternoon, and two types of bond were set at $25,000. Columbus police say Ruppel was soliciting nude pictures and sex acts in exchange for positions in the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir from his St. Francis DeSales High School students, as well as other juveniles involved with the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in 2011. Ruppel is no longer employed by the school. Detectives searched Ruppel's home after complaints were made to Ohio State Fair Choir staff about the allegations against Ruppel. The two victims in the most recent incident are a 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy, according to a Columbus police report. Officers are attempting to locate and identify any additional victims. On July 19, Charles R. Snyder, 67, director of the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, was placed on leave because of a Columbus police investigation. A media representative from the Ohio State Fair said Snyder was not the focus of the investigation, but would not give any more details. Fair officials said police requested Snyder be placed on leave. "There were three employees placed on administrative leave who reported the information. And we handed all of that information over to the Columbus police department so that they could determine at what time those employees should be reinstated," explained Alicia Shoults, State Fair Communication Director. Of the three employees, only Snyder remains on leave. The other two employees have been instated.
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