A 47-year-old North Texas figure skating coach, Benjamin Shroats, was arrested after two athletes he coached accused him of inappropriate relationships, including one that allegedly started when the skater was a minor. Allen police say officers picked Shroats up at his home in McKinney on Tuesday and booked him into the Collin County Detention Center, a swift move that has rattled the tight-knit local skating scene.
According to Allen police, the department opened its investigation on Sunday after a report was filed and arrested Shroats two days later. He faces counts that include indecency with a child and sexual assault, and authorities have not said where the alleged conduct took place. Jail records and a department statement indicate the investigation is still active, and officers are asking anyone with information to contact the Allen Police Department, according to NBC 5.
Court paperwork and jail records show bond was set at $100,000 per count, for a total of $200,000, and that Shroats was released after posting bond on Wednesday. Dallas Morning News reported the $200,000 total, while CBS Texas noted the $100,000 figure per offense and that a judge ordered Shroats not to coach or teach while the criminal case is pending. No attorney was listed for Shroats in court filings reviewed by reporters.
Club Response And Community Reaction
The Dallas Figure Skating Club told members it takes child safety concerns seriously and stressed that it does not hire, employ or supervise independent coaches, according to CBS Texas. Longtime coach Ann Brumbaugh, who has worked alongside Shroats, said she was “heartbroken” and added, “I never saw this coming.” Club leaders urged families to respect the ongoing legal process and to reach out to the Allen Police Department with any tips.
What The Charges Mean In Texas
Indecency with a child and sexual assault are felony offenses in Texas that can bring years in prison and require sex-offender registration if a defendant is convicted, according to FindLaw. Indecency with a child by contact is a second-degree felony that carries a potential punishment of two to 20 years behind bars and fines up to $10,000. The case will move through Collin County courts, where prosecutors must present evidence before any formal indictment or trial.
Allen police and county prosecutors say the investigation remains active and have asked anyone with relevant information to contact the Allen Police Department. Reporters plan to update the story as additional court records and official statements are released, while families in the skating community wait for answers and a clearer picture of what happened.
