Football coach arrested on human trafficking charges after cops place decoy prostitution adverts

Patrick Kugler, a former assistant football coach at Austin Peay, was one of six people arrested on human trafficking related charges on Thursday.

The Tennessee Buerau of Investigation released a statement Thursday revealing Kugler was arrested on one count of trafficking for sexual servitude, with his bond set at $5,000.

The TBI said in a statement: Over a two-day period starting August 16th, as part of an undercover operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Montgomery County area, officers placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex. 

'The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors.'

Patrick Kugler, a former assistant football coach at Austin Peay, has been arrested on human trafficking charges

It added that 'seven other individuals were recovered as potential victims of human trafficking'.

Austin Peay acknowledged the arrest of Kugler, who abruptly resigned from his coaching position on Sunday.

'Austin Peay State University is aware of the arrest of former football assistant coach Patrick Kugler, who resigned his position on Sunday, Aug. 18,' it said to WSMV4 in Tennessee.

'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.'

Kugler, who also previously played for Michigan, appears to have deleted all of his social media accounts amid his resignation. 

His page on the school's website is not active anymore, either.

Austin Peay starts its football season on August 31 against Louisville Cardinals.