A mortgage broker recently sentenced to more than 12 years in state prison for perpetrating a scam that affected more than 800 Pennsylvanians, including many in Lancaster County, has appealed his sentence.
Wesley A. Snyder's attorney, Kurt B. Geishauser, said Thursday he filed a motion with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Harrisburg, requesting a hearing for modification of sentence.
On July 2, U.S. District Chief Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Snyder to a near-maximum prison term of 12 years and two months. Federal guidelines suggest a maximum sentence of 12 years, 9 months for such crimes.
Several local homeowners duped by Snyder expressed anger Thursday over his latest legal maneuver.
"The guy is doing his very best to try and stay out of jail," said Richard Anderson, 66, of Landisville. "He has manipulated the system and will continue to do so."
Anderson, who lost more than $100,000 to the scam, said the appeal came as little surprise because Snyder has denied wrongdoing all along.
Joyce and Roger Shinton also lost tens of thousands of dollars.
"He keeps insisting he never did anything wrong," Joyce Shinton said. "He's in a real fantasy world."
After the July 2 sentencing in Harrisburg, Geishauser said there were no plans to appeal. However, the attorney said, he received word through Snyder's wife that his client changed his mind.
"Basically, I preserved his right to appeal," Geishauser said. "Every sentence can be reviewed for no particular reason. (Appeal) is now an issue in every case."
No specifics were outlined in the motion, Geishauser said.
"We really didn't go over any grounds," he said.
Geishauser filed the motion July 11 and has until next week to get all transcripts and other paperwork to the court. At that point, a hearing will be scheduled.
Victims said the appeal solidified their belief that Snyder wasn't remorseful for operating a scam that hurt homeowners and investors from 19 counties. The smallest reported loss was $133; the largest loser — an 81-year-old woman — was swindled out of more than $468,000, according to court testimony.
Victims have said they find Snyder's apologies insulting and far from convincing. His letter to the judge days before sentencing was viewed as another ploy to stay out of prison, victims said.
"Where does he get off to even ask for this?" Linda Bryan, 44, said of the appeal. "He claims he has no money, but then in the next breath, (he says), 'Appeal this.' "
"Where is that money coming from?" Bryan asked.
Anderson said initially he felt "rage" over the appeal, but said there is solace in knowing Snyder is now living in a state prison cell.
"Now, at least he's doing it behind bars, so that's fine with me," Anderson said.
Bryan said that isn't good enough for her.
"No matter where he goes, he's going to have three meals a day, a roof over his head," she said. "We have to wake up every day and not know if they are going to foreclose on us. To look at our kids and say, 'We can't afford that today.' "
E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com