A campus supervisor at a Turlock elementary school, who also currently serves on the city’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, was arrested Wednesday morning on child pornography charges, the Turlock Police Department reported.
The suspect was identified by the police department as John Snoke, 42, of Turlock. The police department said Snoke “is currently employed as a campus supervisor at a local Turlock Unified elementary school.” Neither the police department nor Turlock Unified School District have stated which elementary school Snoke works at.
Snoke’s arrest came from a cyber tip regarding distribution of child pornography, stating images had been uploaded using an internet-based application.
Snoke was contacted during the service of a search warrant at his residence Wednesday morning and brought to the police department for questioning. Additional electronic devices were located at Snoke’s residence and are being processed for further evidence, said Turlock Police spokeswoman Dominique Sanchez.
Following the interview, Snoke was arrested at the Turlock Police Department without incident. Snoke is facing two separate felony child pornography charges - possession of child pornography and sending or selling obscene matter depicting a minor. Additional charges may be added once all electronic devices have been analyzed.
At this time, investigators do not believe there are any local student victims who were targeted but are working diligently to confirm this, Sanchez said.
“We are leveraging technology and working hard to stop child exploitation in Turlock,” said Detective Gina Giovacchini, who led the investigation. “Keeping children safe is my number one priority.”
Snoke’s Facebook page states he started working for the District in 2016 and that he attended Stanislaus State in 2005, where he studied forensics and Modesto Junior College in 2017, where he studied criminal justice administration.
In a previous interview with the Journal from 2019, when Snokes was appointed to the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, he said he decided to join the commission after serving as the captain for his local Neighborhood Watch group. His term is set to expire Dec. 31, 2025.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information to contact Detective Giovacchini at (209)668-6539. You may also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209)668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us. The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program.
Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209)521-4636 or (866) 602-7463 and you may be eligible for a cash reward. You can also leave an anonymous tip online at www.stancrimetips.org or by texting “StanCS” to 738447. The P3 app is also available for download for Apple and Android devices.
