photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center is pictured on Friday, June 26, 2026.

A man who’s been charged with two counts of child rape made his first appearance in court Friday, and a Douglas County judge set his bond at $1 million.

The defendant, Steven Snow, was arrested Thursday morning, as Lawrence police announced in a news release later that day.

Snow, 36, is accused of raping a child under the age of 14. The two offense dates are listed in the criminal complaint as July 8 and Aug. 28 of this year. Each count, if he is convicted, is punishable by life in prison.

Police did not release details about the allegations against Snow other than that they involve the rape of a minor, but on Friday legal intern Mariya Adcox, representing the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, told Judge Carl Folsom that the allegations were “egregious.” She also said that Snow reportedly admitted the crime per an affidavit in the case.

Public defender Kyleigh Rupe, appearing with Snow via video from the jail, asked Folsom to take up Snow’s case before others on the first-appearance docket because she said he was “having some medical issues,” though she did not provide any details.

Snow tried to stand from a wheelchair, but then sat back down, with only the top of his head appearing above the lectern as he spoke to the court. He told Folsom that he made less than $1,000 per month. Folsom then appointed the Public Defenders Office to represent him.

Snow is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 16 for a status conference in front of Senior Judge Nancy Parrish. Rupe did not request a lower bond Friday, telling Folsom she would reserve argument on that matter for Snow’s next appearance.