Chattanooga Attorney Facing 15-30 Years Under Child Sex Guilty Plea

Chattanooga attorney Patrick Bryant Hawley pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children and faces a potential sentence of 15 to 30 years. Federal Judge Travis McDonough will oversee his sentencing, which is pending. As part of his plea agreement, Hawley will make restitution to victims and acknowledged persuading a 14-year-old girl to send him explicit videos. He also sent explicit photos of himself and other minors, raising serious concerns about online child exploitation. Jay Woods is prosecuting the case, while Lee Davis represents Hawley.

This case underscores the critical need for vigilance against child exploitation in the digital landscape, as authorities continue to address these pervasive issues. The plea agreement reflects a growing trend of legal accountability for individuals involved in such crimes.