Youth Baseball Coach Charged With Child Solicitation In Harford Co.

FALLSTON, MD — A youth baseball coach has been arrested and charged with two felony counts related to the solicitation of a minor.

Robert "Joe" Swarthout, 41, of Fallston used an online app to communicate with an undercover deputy who presented himself as a 15-year-old boy.

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"Despite being repeatedly informed of the age, the communication continued and a meeting was arranged," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said.

When Swarthout arrived at the designated location, he was taken into custody by sheriff's deputies. He now faces two felony counts related to the solicitation of a minor. Swarthout told detectives that he is a Fallston recreation baseball coach and previously worked for a national tutoring company, the sheriff's office stated.

"As stated yesterday and worth repeating, these charges are deeply troubling. Once again, we are facing a situation involving a trusted community member, someone responsible for guiding and safeguarding youth, attempting to exploit a minor. It is a stark reminder that vigilance is essential. Unlike our first two operations, where most offenders traveled from outside the county or state, this operation revealed individuals living, working and volunteering right here in our community," Gahler said.

Chris Hansen of Takedown had returned to Harford County and teamed up with the sheriff's office for a week of documenting investigations, Gahler said.

"...what our joint operation uncovered should concern every parent in our community. Throughout this effort, investigators encountered multiple individuals from within Harford County attempting to communicate with who they believed were children. Let me make one thing absolutely clear, if you target our kids, we will find you, we will arrest you and we will bring you to justice," Gahler said.

Anyone who has information or believes they may have been impacted by the suspect's actions is asked to contact the Harford County Sheriff's Office at cactips@harfordsheriff.org.

Gahler also reminded parents and caregivers to have frank conversations with their children about "the broader dangers posed by individuals who misuse positions of trust and by online predators who target young people. Your awareness, involvement and willingness to talk with your kids remain among the strongest protections we have as a community."