Graphic by Anabelle Coker | THE ALL STATE
More information has come to light in the wake of the arrest of former Austin Peay State University assistant football coach Patrick Kugler.
Kugler was one of six individuals arrested in Clarksville on charges of human trafficking. He was charged with one count of trafficking for sexual servitude. His bond was set at $5,000 and he was able to post for release.
In a release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, it was reported that an undercover operation by agents with TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Clarksville Police Department and the Office of the 19th Judicial District Attorney led a two-day sting starting Aug. 16 that resulted in the six men being arrested along with recovering potential victims.
The agents were able to place decoy advertisements on websites that were known to be linked to prostitution and they were used to identify individuals seeking minors for sexual activity.
Four of the men were from Clarksville, one from Fort Campbell and one from Memphis.
The victims recovered were offered services through HT victim service organization.
Kugler resigned from his position with APSU football on Aug. 18.
A statement released by APSU athletics says:
“Austin Peay State University is aware of the arrest of former football assistant coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned his position on Sunday, Aug. 18.
The Clarksville Police Department are the lead authorities for the arrest and any additional questions should be directed to them. Austin Peay will have no further comments on the matter.”
The All State also reached out to Clarksville Police Department and was unable to speak with them as this case is still an ongoing investigation and has not made its way through the judicial process.
