The ousted CEO of a well-known Tennessee bank is facing federal charges after allegedly propositioning someone he believed was a teenage boy in a disturbing online exchange that was actually part of an FBI sting operation.

Bob Hartheimer, the former CEO of Evolve Bank & Trust, was arrested in Memphis on Oct. 23 after authorities said he tried to send explicit material to an undercover FBI agent who posed as a 15-year-old boy on social media and a dating app, as CNBC reports.

The investigation began four days earlier, when an FBI employee created a decoy profile on the gay dating app Grindr as part of a sting to catch individuals attempting to lure minors for sexual activity. That profile claimed to be a 15-year-old boy.

Messages Begin on Grindr and Move to Snapchat

According to an affidavit unsealed Tuesday, the user who reached out to the undercover agent went by the username “Tomm.” The initial message read, “Hey, any chance u would hu with an older and chill guy,” suggesting an interest in sexual contact with someone underage.

Law enforcement says the digital exchange quickly turned more explicit and transitioned from Grindr to Snapchat. Over the coming days, the two continued communicating, discussing potential in-person meetings and certain sex acts.

During their Snapchat exchange, “Tomm” reportedly asked the supposed boy to send a photo without wearing shorts. At one point, he sent a nude image of himself to the account being monitored by the FBI.

Authorities Trace Identity Through Internet Providers

Investigators were then able to trace the suspect’s location and identity using an IP address connected to the Snapchat account. The IP address was tied to a Comcast account, and the subscriber information linked it back to a Memphis residence. Authorities moved quickly to act on the evidence, arresting Bob Hartheimer on suspicion of attempted production of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to someone he believed to be a minor.

The 67-year-old banking executive was charged in a federal court shortly after his arrest. A warrant issued for Hartheimer included detailed descriptions of the online exchanges, as well as information about the evidence collected.

Evolve Bank Fires CEO and Reacts to Crisis

Hartheimer was fired promptly following his arrest. On Saturday, both an Evolve Bank spokesperson and Hartheimer’s attorney confirmed that the bank had terminated his employment as CEO.

“Bob’s family is aware of the charges. His family loves and supports him and requests privacy during this difficult period in their lives. We have no further comment at this time,” said attorney Blake Ballin in a statement released through email.

The Memphis-headquartered bank emphasized through a spokesperson that the incident was “a personal matter” concerning Hartheimer and not related to Evolve’s business operations or customers.

Leadership Reorganized Following Sudden Departure

After Hartheimer’s dismissal, the bank reassigned leadership duties to current executives. Mark Mosteller, chief financial officer, and Joelle Weltzin, general counsel, took over operational oversight. The two had previously led the bank before Hartheimer assumed his position in August.

Appointed as part of what Evolve described as a “structural change,” Hartheimer stepped in just months prior with a mandate to restore trust after a difficult series of events, including cyberattacks and partnerships that left customer deposits in limbo. “This is a structural change, demonstrating our continued commitment to doing the hard work to earn back the trust of our customers, employees, regulators, and investors,” the bank said when Hartheimer was appointed earlier this year.

Past of Prominence, Future of Legal Trouble

Before joining Evolve, Hartheimer had a long career in financial regulation and consultancy. His previous roles included serving as director for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Division of Resolutions and advising several fintech firms. His sudden fall from grace comes on the heels of a difficult financial period for Evolve. The bank posted net losses in each of the first three quarters of 2025 -- its first stretch of unprofitability since 2003.

In 2024, hackers accessed customer data during a cyberattack and later released that information when the bank refused to pay a ransom. Before that, Evolve found itself entangled in the collapse of Synapse, a fintech company whose failed systems left up to $96 million in customer deposits unaccounted for.

Lessons to Learn

1. Predators may hide behind everyday roles. Even high-ranking professionals like a bank CEO can be involved in illegal and harmful behavior. Parents and individuals must remain vigilant, regardless of someone's background or public image.

2. Law enforcement uses technology to prevent exploitation. The use of undercover agents online is a critical tactic for identifying and stopping predators before real harm occurs. This case underscores the importance of digital vigilance by both authorities and the public.

3. Online interactions need careful oversight. Apps like Grindr and Snapchat can become platforms for exploitation. While parents can't monitor every action, open discussion about online safety and red flags is essential. Still, it's crucial to remember that blame lies with perpetrators -- never victims.

Why This Story Matters

This story is a stark reminder that exploitation can occur anywhere, and people in positions of trust are not exempt from scrutiny. Federal enforcement actions like this serve as critical protections, especially for vulnerable populations like minors.

Transparency from institutions, like Evolve Bank in this case, allows the public to separate individual misconduct from organizational integrity. By holding individuals accountable, communities can better uphold ethical standards and public safety.