A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to operating an Internet prostitution ring in Chesterfield County.

William H. Snyder, 51, was convicted of money laundering and receiving funds from the earnings of a prostitute in connection with his business.

According to a summary of evidence presented today in Chesterfield Circuit Court, Snyder set up a Web site last year that customers could access to set up "dates" with women. Sexually explicit photos of them were included on the site.

After being contacted by a client interested in sex, Snyder would arrange for them to meet the women at one of several motels along the Jefferson Davis Highway corridor near Willis Road, prosecutor Sangeeta Darji said.

Acting as a lookout, Snyder would then wait in the parking lot while the women conducted business in the motel. The women would then give Snyder a portion of their earnings, between 15 and 25 percent, Darji said.

Snyder was arrested after a sting operation by Chesterfield County police. One of Snyder's prostitutes cooperated with authorities in the investigation, Darji said.

Snyder's business operated at least through November of last year. It was not immediately clear how much money the operation generated.

Substitute Circuit Judge James E. Kulp accepted Snyder's guilty pleas and set sentencing for Dec. 1. He faces up to 50 years in prison on both charges.

-- Mark Bowes