Longtime figure-skating coach Benjamin Shroats arrested in Allen on child-sex charges

Benjamin Shroats, a 47-year-old longtime North Texas figure-skating coach, was arrested at his McKinney residence by Allen police on Feb. 17 and is being held at the Collin County Detention Center on child sex-related charges that include indecency with a child and sexual assault. Court paperwork and police accounts show the case began after a report filed Feb. 15 prompted an Allen Police Department investigation.

Allen police allege Shroats engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with two athletes he coached, and investigators say one of those relationships reportedly began when the athlete was a minor. Police opened the inquiry Feb. 15 and took Shroats into custody at his home two days later, according to agency statements.

Public reports list varying charging language: some records describe two charges of indecency with a child, while other filings and summaries include sexual assault, sexual contact, and sexual misconduct. At arraignment, prosecutors and court filings reflected multiple counts; bond reporting is inconsistent across filings and accounts. One courtroom record states bond was set at $100,000 for each offense, which several local reports interpret as a $200,000 total bond for the matters currently before the court.

During a bond hearing, a judge ordered Shroats to "not coach or teach any figure skating students." Court paperwork at that hearing did not list an attorney for Shroats but indicated he planned to retain private counsel, and the case remains under active investigation by Allen police and subject to further filings with the Collin County court system.

Shroats has coached in Collin County for more than a decade and was affiliated with the Dallas Figure Skating Club at least since 2015, using community ice at Allen Event Center and other North Dallas suburban rinks for lessons and practice. His coaching resume includes time working with Amber Glenn before she competed in the 2026 Olympic Games; he also appeared in a 2014 television segment about Glenn.

The Dallas Figure Skating Club released a written statement to families and members, saying in part, "We know news like this is upsetting, and we want our families to know we take concerns involving our members and the adult coaches who train them very seriously. The safety and welfare of children is our top priority." The club also clarified that it does not hire, employ, or supervise private coaches, that coaches provide lessons as independent contractors, and that the club does not own or operate ice rinks.

Allen police and Collin County prosecutors have not released further details about where or when the alleged conduct occurred. The investigation is ongoing; reporters and residents seeking updates can monitor Collin County court dockets and statements from Allen Police Department and the Collin County District Attorney for filings such as the arrest affidavit, charging instrument, and scheduled hearings.