Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Motorcycle club member sentenced for acts of violence
A 37-year-old Zanesville man with a violent criminal record was sentenced to prison Monday in connection to the abduction and assault of two victims.
In October, Eric Snodgrass joined other members of his motorcycle club at a local dining establishment, all of whom were dressed in their club affiliation colors, otherwise known as “cuts.”
When members of the group became loud and disturbed other customers, they were asked to leave.
Snodgrass returned from a nearby establishment to confront the wait staff that asked his club to move along.
After informing the server in charge that “no one kicks out” his club, Snodgrass violently attacked the woman, causing other patrons to intervene.
As Snodgrass was leaving, he sucker-punched one of the patrons, sending him to the ground unconscious and resulting in a broken ankle.
The entire assault was caught on video.
Snodgrass pleaded guilty to charges of felonious assault, abduction and assault.
At a hearing on Monday, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office argued for a sentence of seven to nine years.
Judge Kelly Cottrill determined that a five-year sentence was sufficient.
This particular case is just one of several violent acts committed by motorcycle club members in Muskingum County over the last year.
The State argued that the defendant is not a stranger to acts of violence as Snodgrass was previously identified on surveillance video from another local establishment kicking an unconscious man lying on the ground.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s office and local law enforcement agencies are aware of several incidents involving violence traced back to motorcycle clubs and the office has already taken action to limit activity in the county.
These acts of organized aggression will not be tolerated.
“Our office understands that most motorcycle clubs are for the enjoyment of friendship and riding a motorcycle; however, there are a few groups who choose to engage in illegal activity, which includes drugs and violence,” Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “These clubs will be the focus of our enforcement efforts.”
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