College football assistant coach resigns after arrest in human trafficking investigation

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - A college football assistant coach resigned after being arrested in a human trafficking investigation in Tennessee.

Austin Peay State University football assistant coach Patrick Kugler resigned on Sunday, Aug. 18.

His resignation came just two days after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched an undercover operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Officers placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex, according to the TBI.

Kugler was one of six arrested after the investigation. He was charged with one count of trafficking for sexual servitude. His bond was set at $5,000.

“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,” APSU’s Athletic Department said.

The undercover operation resulted in not only in six arrests but also in the recovery of seven potential victims of human trafficking, according to the TBI.

“In an effort to identify human trafficking victims, law enforcement officials reached out to ads that had been placed on websites linked to prostitution and commercial sex ads,” the TBI said. “As a result of this part of the operation, seven individuals were recovered as potential victims of human trafficking and were offered services through an HT victim service organization.”