Fort Thomas schools band assistant accused of possessing child sex abuse images

A Kenton County man who formerly worked as a band assistant with Fort Thomas Independent Schools was arrested on Wednesday on dozens of charges related to images of child sexual abuse.

Matthew Schnapp, 22, was arrested in Independence after Kenton County Police Department detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a post on the police department's Facebook page.

NCMEC contacted the department regarding images of child sexual abuse being uploaded to the internet, the post said.

“Internet service providers have a duty to report suspicious images or videos suspected of being child pornography,” Kenton County Police Public Information Officer Aaron Schihl said. “The way they do that is through the Center For Missing and Exploited Children.”

Schihl said a search of Schnapp’s home uncovered more evidence of images of child sexual abuse.

“We take internet crimes against children very seriously,” Schihl said. “There are times it’s referred to as a victimless crime, but that’s far from the truth. Even a still picture, every time that image is viewed by someone else, that child is revictimized.”

The post on the police department’s Facebook page says investigators were able to determine that accounts containing the images were identified as belonging to Schnapp.

Schnapp was arrested during a search of his home in the Harvest Hill subdivision on Wednesday.

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In an email to students on Wednesday, Superintendent Brian Robinson said Schnapp no longer worked for the school district.

“Matthew Schnapp, an assistant within the marching band program was arrested and charged by Kenton County Police,” the email said. “Upon receiving the information about the charges, our district issued Mr. Schnapp a termination letter, effective immediately.

“Presently, there is no knowledge that any student within our school system is a victim of the alleged criminal behavior.”

Schnapp is facing multiple charges:

• 30 counts of possessing matter portraying sexual performance of a minor under 12
• 30 counts of distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by a minor under 12

Schnapp was taken to the Kenton County Detention Center. His bond hasn’t been set.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fort Thomas schools band assistant accused of possessing child sex abuse images