News Summary
Patrick Bryant Hawley, a Chattanooga attorney, has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children, facing a minimum of 15 years in prison. The charges arise from inappropriate online interactions with a 14-year-old girl, where he coerced her into sending explicit videos and photos. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to make restitution to his victims, and six other serious charges will be dismissed. Hawley, who was temporarily suspended from practicing law, awaits sentencing as prosecutors have not committed to his final sentence.
Chattanooga – Patrick Bryant Hawley, a Chattanooga attorney, has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. His plea comes as he faces sentencing from Federal Judge Travis McDonough, with a minimum sentence of 15 years and a potential maximum of 30 years in prison.
As part of his plea agreement, Hawley has agreed to make restitution to his victims. The charges stem from his online interactions with a 14-year-old girl, during which he persuaded her to send explicit videos. Hawley also sent explicit photos of himself and other minors to the girl, indicating a serious breach of legal and ethical conduct.
Details of the Case
The inappropriate online contact between Hawley and the young girl reportedly began in September and extended until November 2024. Their conversations quickly escalated to sexual content shortly after they initiated contact online. Hawley expressed a disturbing viewpoint, asserting that no age was too young for his desires for sexually explicit conduct. He even demanded explicit images from the girl, emphasizing her “daily obligation” to comply with his requests.
It was the girl who ultimately reported Hawley’s behavior to law enforcement after their correspondence concluded, leading to the investigation and subsequent charges against him. In addition to the charge of sexual exploitation, six other serious criminal counts against him will be dismissed as part of the plea deal, including allegations related to animal crushing and possession of child pornography.
Court Proceedings and Future Actions
Prosecutors have indicated that they have made no promises regarding Hawley’s final sentence, leaving the decision ultimately in the hands of the court. A change of plea hearing is forthcoming, although it has yet to be scheduled. Until then, Hawley remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, having been temporarily suspended from practicing law in November 2024 due to the serious nature of the allegations against him. This suspension was in response to the Board of Professional Responsibility’s assessment that Hawley posed a potential threat of substantial harm to the public.
Background Information
Patrick Bryant Hawley, who had not faced any prior criminal charges or professional disciplinary actions as a Tennessee attorney before these allegations, is now faced with substantial legal consequences following his admissions of guilt. His attorney has stated that they are unable to comment on the specific facts regarding the case during the plea process while also acknowledging that Hawley has accepted responsibility for his actions.
The ongoing developments in this case will hinge on the scheduling of the change of plea hearing. Further details about the sentencing and any additional legal ramifications await clarification from the court in the coming weeks.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga Attorney Accepts Plea in Sexual Exploitation Case
Chattanooga Court Sentences Florida Man for Child Exploitation
Former Teacher in Chattanooga Charged with Exploitation of Minor
Chattanooga Former Teacher Arrested on Serious Charges
Chattanooga Shudders at Disturbing Case of Child Exploitation
Chattanooga Teacher Arrested Amid Serious Allegations
Chattanooga School Teacher Arrested on Serious Charges
Chattanooga Faces Disturbing Crime Reports
Additional Resources
- Local 3 News
- Wikipedia: Child exploitation
- Times Free Press
- Google Search: Chattanooga attorney Patrick Bryant Hawley
- News Channel 9
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual exploitation
- Chattanoogan
- Google Scholar: Patrick Bryant Hawley
- ABA Journal
- Google News: Patrick Hawley
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
