photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center is pictured on Sept. 4, 2024.

When confronted with accusations against him, a 36-year-old Lawrence man told police that he raped and sexually abused a 13-year-old girl earlier this year, according to a recently released affidavit in the case.

The man, Steven Earl Snow, has been charged with two counts of child rape, an off-grid felony punishable by life in prison if he is convicted. Lawrence police announced Snow’s arrest in a Sept. 10 news release, and the allegations against him were described by the state as “egregious” during his first court appearance the next day.

The charges concern incidents on July 8 and Aug. 29. The incidents came to light after a woman told police that a friend of her daughter’s had alleged sexual abuse by a neighbor, Snow.

According to the affidavit, which is partially redacted, including names, an adult observed Snow sexually abusing the girl in July but did not report it and forced the child to spend the night with him again in August.

On both occasions, the girl told authorities, Snow raped her.

In an interview with police, Snow initially denied the allegations but “after some time … admitted to raping and sexually abusing” the girl, according to the affidavit.

Arrest affidavits are compiled by law enforcement officers to document why they believe they have probable cause to arrest a person. Allegations in affidavits have not been proved in court.

Snow, represented by Public Defender Jessica Glendening, is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $1 million bond. His next court appearance is an Oct. 28 status conference.