MASON CITY – The trial of an accused child murderer begins Monday in Mason City.
Jury selection will begin at 9 AM in the case of 38-year-old Michael Cisneros, formerly of Mason City, accused of the death of 20-month-old John Joseph Snyder Jr., who went missing from a Mason City apartment on July 20, 1994.
Police officers were sent to the apartment that day, where police spoke with the boy’s father and began a search of the apartment and surrounding area. Later that day, pajama bottoms and a diaper belonging to John Snyder Jr. were located along Willow Creek in Mason City.
0n July 21, 1994 at approximately 9:56 AM, John Joseph Snyder Junior was found in Willow Creek just east of the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge. An autopsy was performed by the State medical examiner’s office. lt was determined that the cause of death was drowning and a crushing skull injury. Manner of death: Homicide.
In 1994 DNA analysis was not done on the evidence collected in this case as this technology was not yet available. But on December 2, 2002 the Mason City Police Department was able to submit the evidence associated with this case and obtain DNA analysis. These results were retained as part of the case file.
On December 19, 2012, Michael Jason Cisneros, 37, was transported to the Medical and Classification Center in Coralville, Iowa. Per Iowa regulations as a convicted felon, Cisneros was required to submit a DNA sample to the Iowa Department of Criminal investigation lab for entry in the DNA database otherwise known as CODIS.
On January 30, 2013 a Search of this CODIS DNA database revealed a match between the DNA Sample submitted by Michael Cisneros and the profile taken from the evidence submitted in December 02, 2002, namely John Snyder Junior’s pajama bottoms.
On Friday, July i2, 2013, an arrest warrant was issued for Cisneros charging him with First Degree Murder involving the death of John Joseph Snyder Jr. Cisneros is currently in custody in the Cerro Gordo County jail. He has pleaded not guilty.
After his arrest, Cisneros’ family said they “are in shock to learn about the arrest of our son, brother, cousin, nephew. Please allow the justice system to run its course and render its judgment.”
I think they are headhunting! How did the boy get from the apartment to the creek? Has anyone asked the father? Is there any evidence of prior abuse?
DNA doesn’t lie. Thank God for DNA testing.
The town of Mason City was swept over by a wave of evil back in 1992-1995. I think it largely had to do with methamphetamine sweeping the town. This could be part of that dark time period. Dustin Honken and Angela Johnson did their despicable act then, as did a local child murderer who beat the system because of a high priced Des Moines Attorney. It’s amazing to me that Sportsman’s bar still remains open. It was the den of evil during those days. Caters to the worst of the worse.
I was just going say the same thing. It seemed a lot of murders were going on back then. I remember when all the meth heads hung out at “Sporty’s” If people would’ve had access to cannabis I bet this wouldn’t have happened.
Yeah there comes a time in your life when you have to call a spade a spade. The city pretends like alcohol isn’t a problem while condemning natural botanical herbs like marijuana…and granting liquor permits to cesspools of ignorance and debauchery. All because rough and tumble scrappy bar fights infused on whiskey are the great American way apparently. Just be tough and you’ll get by ok in the old usa
Sounds like you too are aware of the REAL murderer in this case?? Funny how many people can see it! And off scott free……yep….disappeared off the map until recently again. Funny what money can get ya isnt it?!!!! We must just hold faith in the jurors and ultimately in the justice system!!