Bank CEO Arrested in FBI Sting Operation After Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex

Bob Hartheimer was arrested this week following an FBI sting operation.

The CEO of Tennessee's Evolve Bank & Trust has been terminated after his arrest in an FBI operation where he allegedly attempted to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy on Grindr, a gay dating platform.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Bob Hartheimer allegedly attempted to engage in sexual activities with a minor and transmitted explicit photographs of himself online.

The FBI investigation commenced on October 19, when an agent created a profile on Grindr while impersonating a teenage boy. A user identified as "Tomm" contacted the undercover agent with the message: "Hey any chance u would hu (hit up) with an older and chill guy."

According to the affidavit, "Tomm" and the undercover agent discussed arranging an in-person meeting later that week and continued their exchange on Snapchat, where they discussed sexual activities. The suspect reportedly requested nude photographs of the supposed teenager and sent an explicit image of himself. Investigators obtained the user's IP address from Snapchat and, through information provided by Comcast, traced it to Hartheimer.

He was apprehended in Memphis on October 23 and charged with attempted production of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to a minor, as stated in a federal warrant.

A spokesperson for Evolve Bank confirmed that Hartheimer was immediately dismissed following his arrest. His attorney, Blake Ballin, informed CNBC: "Bob's family is aware of the charges. His family loves and supports him and requests privacy during this difficult period in their lives."

Hartheimer had joined Evolve in August 2025, replacing longtime CEO Scott Stafford, who retired after 20 years of service. On his LinkedIn profile, Hartheimer described his professional background: "Over the past four decades, I've led, turned around, and advised institutions across the financial landscape."

The federal investigation continues.

In a similar case last year, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested in the US for allegedly operating a sex-trafficking ring involving young male models. Federal prosecutors claimed that Jeffries, 80, along with his romantic partner Matthew Smith and associate James Jacobson, coerced young men into sexual acts by promising them modeling opportunities with the fashion brand.