FALLSTON, Md. (WBFF) — A Fallston man has been arrested and charged with two felony counts related to the solicitation of a minor during a recording of “Takedown” with Chris Hansen.
According to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Robert “Joe” Swarthout, 41, was arrested and now faces charges.
Swarthout told detectives that he serves as a Fallston recreational baseball coach and previously worked for a national tutoring company.
Authorities said that Swarthout used an online app to communicate with an undercover deputy clearly presenting as a 15-year-old boy.
Despite being repeatedly informed of the alleged age of the victim, Swarthout continued his communication and a meeting was arranged.
When Swarthout arrived at the location, he was taken into custody and is now facing charges.
Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a post on Facebook that his office just completed a week of filming with Chris Hansen from “Takedown,” during which Swarthout was arrested.
Gahler released this statement via Facebook:
We heard that there are rumors that Chris Hansen of “Takedown” was back in Harford County. Well, the rumors are true. In partnership with Chris Hansen’s team, we just completed a week of filming here, and 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…
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.
If you or someone you know has information or believes they may have been affected, please contact us. We have established a dedicated email tip line at cactips@harfordsheriff.org, allowing direct communication with a detective.
Parents and caregivers, please continue open and ongoing conversations with your children, not only about this case, but 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.
More details will be shared as the operation concludes.
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