TALLAHASSEE, FL — A longtime girls basketball coach at Chiles High School has been arrested following a statewide investigation targeting online predators.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), 56-year-old Troy Hartmann was taken into custody on January 7 after investigators say he engaged in online conversations with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl. The individual was actually an undercover FDLE agent.
Multiple Charges Filed Against High School Coach
Hartmann is charged with online solicitation of a minor, harmful communication with a minor, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
FDLE reports that none of the charges involve any current or former students at Chiles High School. Hartmann was removed from his position as head coach of the girls' basketball team following his arrest.
Undercover Operation Began in November
The investigation began in November 2025 through FDLE’s Tallahassee Regional Operations Center. Agents launched an undercover effort designed to identify and stop individuals attempting to exploit minors online.
FDLE says Hartmann’s charges stem from conversations held during that operation. The agency coordinated with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, and Leon County Schools’ Department of Safety and Security during the arrest.
Case Referred to State Attorney’s Office
Hartmann was booked into the Leon County Jail and will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial Circuit. The investigation remains active, and no further details are being released at this time.
Legal Discussion: What Options Do Victims Have?
When allegations of abuse involve a trusted school figure such as a coach, survivors and their families often face confusion about where to turn. To provide clarity, we spoke with Michael Haggard, a leading Florida sexual abuse lawyer, about the legal paths available to students who have experienced misconduct by school staff and how institutions may be held accountable.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: When allegations like these arise involving a coach or school employee, what steps can potential victims or their families take?
Michael Haggard, Esq.: The first step is always to report the misconduct to law enforcement and school authorities. From there, victims can explore filing a civil claim, which may hold both the individual and the institution accountable if the school failed to act responsibly.
Banville: How do Florida’s laws address these types of situations specifically?
Haggard: Florida law allows survivors to pursue civil cases even years later under certain conditions. Schools and organizations have a duty to properly screen and supervise employees. If they breach that duty and someone is harmed as a result, legal action may follow. It’s about ensuring safety and accountability.
Banville: So victims aren’t limited to just criminal proceedings?
Haggard: That’s right. Criminal cases punish the offender, but civil claims can provide financial recovery for the survivor’s trauma and help strengthen prevention measures in schools moving forward.
Take the First Step Towards Justice
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse by a coach or another authority figure, don’t hesitate to seek help. Your voice matters, and there are legal avenues available to hold perpetrators accountable. Reach out to us today for a free consultation; we are here to support you in your journey towards healing and justice.
