Austin Peay offensive line mentor Patrick Kugler has stepped down following his arrest during a human trafficking inquiry, the institution declared in an announcement.
Kugler, who additionally held the role of co-offensive coordinator, is a former offensive lineman for Michigan. He is facing one charge of trafficking for sexual servitude.
“Austin Peay State University acknowledges the arrest of ex-football assistant coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned from his role on Sunday, Aug. 18,” APSU stated in a communication to the Leaf-Chronicle. “The Clarksville Police Department is leading the investigation regarding the arrest, and any further inquiries should be addressed to them. Austin Peay will provide no additional comments on the situation.”
“His apprehension occurred as a result of an undercover operation conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which aimed at identifying individuals attempting to engage in commercial sex acts with minors, as reported by a TBI press release. Officers posted bait advertisements on well-known websites associated with commercial sex. The sting operation resulted in six arrests.
“Kugler’s bail was established at $5,000. In Tennessee, trafficking for sexual servitude is classified as a Class B felony. It is described by the state as when an individual ‘knowingly subjects or maintains another in sexual servitude or intentionally recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means another person for the purpose of sexual servitude.’
Austin Peay is scheduled to commence the season on Saturday, August 31, against Louisville.
Kugler’s father, Sean Kugler, is the former head coach at UTEP and has a long-standing career as an NFL and college assistant,” Cobb reported.
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