Pro caddie arrested by ICE on human trafficking, sexual exploitation charges

Pro caddie Evan Vollerthum, 35, was arrested Monday on charges of human trafficking and attempting to exploit a child under the age of 18. Vollerthum, 35, was scheduled to caddie this week for Joseph Bramlett on the Korn Ferry tour (recently renamed from the Web.com tour)

The Homeland Security Investigations team for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the arrest in Topeka, Kansas. This week’s Korn Ferry event, the Wichita Open supporting Wichita’s Youth, is two hours from Topeka.

A news release from ICE cited “valuable assistance provided by Topeka Police Department” in making the arrest and confirmed that Vollerthum was being held in custody at the Shawnee County (Kansas) Department of Corrections under $500,000 bond.

Jail records indicate that Vollerthum was charged with “one count each of aggravated human trafficking involving hiring a child 14 or older to engage in sexual acts and the attempted commercial exploitation of a child involving hiring a person under 18 for a sex act,” according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Vollerthum’s looping duties earlier this season had included a stint with former PGA Tour player Brad Fritsch. The Naples, Fla. resident first entered the tour caddie ranks when he filled in last-minute to loop for Scott McCarron at the 2017 Constellation Senior Players Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, which McCarron went on to win.

Vollerthum grew up in Baltimore, where he caddied before moving to Los Angeles, where he looped at Bel-Air Country Club before moving back to Baltimore after several years. McCarron said at the time that the money he gave Vollerthum would allow him to pursue his dream of becoming a Tour caddie.

Myrtle Beach Online reports that Vollerthum split with Fritsch after caddying for him in the Carolinas three weeks ago at the Rex Hospital Open.

According to the ICE release, the criminal investigation is ongoing.