A Fallston man who coached youth baseball in Harford County was taken into custody this week on two felony counts of soliciting a minor.
Investigators say Robert Swarthout used an online messaging app to contact a user he believed to be a 15‑year‑old boy, only to discover that the conversation was being monitored by an undercover deputy.
A Breach of Trust
Despite being explicitly told the interlocutor’s age, Swarthout continued the exchange and arranged a meeting at a predetermined location, where he was arrested by sheriff’s deputies.
Swarthout, 41, had previously worked for a national tutoring franchise and volunteered with local youth programs, a fact that investigators say underscores the breach of trust placed in him by the community.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler emphasized that the case involves a trusted community member exploiting a minor, and he called for heightened vigilance among parents and guardians.
The arrest emerged from a joint operation that included Chris Hansen, known for his work with the online‑safety initiative Takedown, which documented multiple attempts by county residents to engage with perceived minors.
Authorities have urged families to discuss the risks of online contact with strangers and to report any suspicious activity to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.