Most people know now that Snowden did the American people an great service by exposing the unconstitutional activities of a shadow arm of the USA government.
His activities in this deed should be categorized as "whistleblower" and protected as such. He exposed these activities and in the process made himself a hunted man. He is every-bit a hero. At least service men and women get paid to put their lives at risk. Snowden did this because of his patriotism.