A Maryland baseball coach has been taken into custody after investigators say he attempted to solicit a minor through an online platform.
Robert 'Joe' Swarthout, a 41‑year‑old coach from Fallston, was charged with two felony counts of soliciting a minor after a sting operation conducted by the Harford County Sheriff's Office.
A disturbing online solicitation
According to authorities, Swarthout used the app Sniffies to exchange messages with an undercover deputy who was posing as a 15‑year‑old boy named Aiden.
The coach allegedly sent sexually charged messages and explicit photographs, requesting images in return, and arranged to meet the teen at a predetermined location.
To facilitate the meeting, Swarthout left his 8‑year‑old daughter and 11‑year‑old son with a 12‑year‑old neighbor, a detail that underscores the calculated nature of the crime.
A pattern of abuse
The arrest follows a closely related case in Bel Air, where Catholic Church deacon Kenneth Goedeke faced similar charges of child solicitation, highlighting a troubling trend within the community.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler emphasized that both men occupied positions of trust with children and reiterated the department’s zero‑tolerance stance toward such offenses.
Swarthout appeared before a judge and was ordered held without bail, signaling the seriousness with which the court views the alleged conduct.
Church response
The Fallston United Methodist Church issued a statement affirming its commitment to child safety and directing any inquiries to Pastor Karin Walker, who underscored the congregation’s vigilance in protecting youth.
The incident serves as a stark reminder to parents of the need to monitor their children’s online interactions and to educate them about the risks posed by digital predators.