Olympic gold medalist arrested for allegedly 'engaging in prostitution' in major police sting

An Olympic gold medalist has been arrested for allegedly 'engaging in prostitution' in a major police sting.

Kyle Snyder, a well-decorated wrestling pro, has been arrested along with 15 other men in an alleged prostitution sting, according to news station WBNS 10TV.

The Maryland-born sportsman became the youngest ever to win a 'triple crown' of the world, NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and Olympic championships in the men's 97-kg freestyle wrestling category in the same year, 2016.

After the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Olympics competition, Snyder who has the nickname the 'Snyderman' went on to win the NCAA title a further two times during his career at Ohio State, becoming the first three-time heavy weight champ in almost three decades.

Snyder representing USA at the Zagreb Open of the Grand Prix Ranking Series in February (Matija Habljak/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

In 2018, President Donald Trump also appointed him to be a member on the Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Council.

Now, a covert Columbus police operation on May 9 has reportedly ensnared the 29-year-old in a prostitution crack down.

According to the broadcaster, Snyder allegedly responded to an ad for a fake escort service and met up with someone he believed was a sex worker at a hotel.

He apparently handed over cash to the undercover officer while requesting a sex act.

The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) say they published an escort advertisement on the internet as part of the operation, to entice local buyers to engage in paid sex.

At around 8.15pm on Friday (May 9) night, Snyder allegedly 'texted' the number on the ad and set up the meeting at the hotel on the north side of the Ohio city.

Snyder, who is an open Christian and religious man, is also married to former Syracuse soccer player, Maddie Pack Snyder.

Michelle Hannon, an anti-human trafficking program director for the Salvation Army in Central Ohio, also told the outlet: "The folks who are most frequently purchasing sex tend to be at a higher income level, but really across the spectrum it could really be anyone."

Snyder with his gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

She explained how buyers might not think about the consequences or possible impact on victims.

"There have been a number of studies that have looked at, have really posed that question. I mean, why? Why? Why buy sex? Why is that something that is happening?

"Of course that is an individual experience for lots of folks."

Hannon continued: "The high profile nature of incidents like this can help someone to think that it is actually possible that there are consequences that arrest could follow and that would have implications for family, potentially for employment, that it really is something that isn't guaranteed to remain hidden."

The outlet further reports Snyder was released from custody while at the scene and has been issued a court summons for May 19.

PennLive adds Snyder was planning on holding a wrestling clinic at Palmyra Middle School in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, on May 16 and 17.

In a video posted on Twitter, Snyder said the meeting would focus on the 'fundamentals of wrestling, proper stance, proper head position, how to hand fight and dominate your opponent'.

He added: "And we’re also going to be talking about the Lord Jesus. That’s the most important thing, how he’s going to change our life, bring us closer to him. Looking forward to seeing you guys. God bless."