A figure skating coach from North Texas faces serious legal troubles after his arrest Tuesday on charges involving inappropriate relationships with athletes, including at least one minor. The case has sent shockwaves through the local skating community, where the coach had worked with high-profile talent.
Benjamin Shroats, 47, was taken into custody at his residence following an investigation that began in mid-February, authorities confirmed. Allen police arrested Shroats after allegations surfaced about inappropriate relationships with two athletes he coached.
The investigation was set in motion on February 15 when a report was filed with the Allen Police Department. According to investigators, one of the relationships reportedly began when the athlete was still a minor — a detail that has intensified scrutiny of the case.
Shroats now faces multiple charges. He was arraigned on one count of indecency with a child and one count of sexual assault, with the latter charge stemming from allegations involving a second victim, police stated.
How deep do Shroats’ connections run in the figure skating world? Notably, he has been identified as a one-time coach of Amber Glenn, a gold medalist from Plano who competed in the team event at the 2026 Olympic Games. This association with an Olympic athlete has drawn additional attention to the case.
The judge handling Shroats’ bond hearing took decisive action to limit his professional activities, ordering the coach to “not coach or teach any figure skating students” while the case proceeds. Shroats had been affiliated with a Dallas figure skating club that utilizes the Allen Event Center’s community ice rink as a practice facility.
Currently, Shroats remains in custody at the Collin County Detention Center with bonds totaling $200,000. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional charges or victims coming forward.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities that can exist in sports coaching relationships, where power dynamics and close mentorship can sometimes create environments where abuse may occur. For the tight-knit figure skating community in North Texas, the allegations represent a troubling breach of trust in a sport where coaches often work closely with young athletes for years.
