by Sofia Saric
A Chattanooga attorney reached a plea deal in connection with a sex crimes case involving a 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl and is expected to register as a sex offender, federal court records show.
Patrick Bryant Hawley intends to plead guilty to sexual exploitation of children, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, the agreement said.
In exchange, prosecutors will move to dismiss six other criminal counts against him — involving animal crushing, coercion, enticement and the receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography.
Hawley coerced the girl into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images and videos of that conduct from September to November 2024, the agreement said.
Their conversation allegedly turned sexual within minutes of meeting online.
“When asked, the defendant indicated that no age was too young for his desire for sexually explicit conduct,” the agreement said.
Hawley allegedly sent the minor images and videos of himself engaging in sexual acts and bestiality, and he commented on the girl’s age multiple times.
He demanded images of certain sexual acts and texted her, “Don’t forget your daily obligation,” the agreement said.
When their correspondence ended, the girl reported him to law enforcement.
Prosecutors have not made any promises to Hawley about his sentence, the agreement said. Hawley also agreed to pay restitution to the minor, including but not limited to any counseling or other expenses she may have due to his conduct.
He accepted responsibility for his actions by entering this plea, his attorney, Lee Davis, said by phone.
“I cannot comment on specific facts of the case at this time,” Davis said.
The next step will be Hawley’s change of plea hearing, Davis said, which had not been scheduled as of Thursday afternoon. Hawley is being held in U.S. Marshals Service custody, so a reporter was unable to reach him for comment.
In November, Hawley was temporarily suspended from practicing law because he posed a threat of substantial harm to the public, the Board of Professional Responsibility previously announced.
While the statement did not directly reference his pending criminal case, the suspension came less than a week after he entered no plea to the seven counts against him.
It is unclear how Hawley’s legal career will be impacted long term, and Davis was unable to comment on the matter.
A conviction of a “serious crime,” which includes any felony, is grounds for discipline that can include disbarment, according to the rules of disciplinary enforcement.
Hawley had no previous criminal history or prior record of public discipline as a Tennessee attorney.
