Criminal Justice
‘Ultimatedadbod’ lawyer arrested on child exploitation charges after chats with undercover agents reveal identity
A Tennessee lawyer was arrested last week on federal charges that include child exploitation and animal crushing. (Image from Shutterstock)
Updated: A Tennessee lawyer was arrested last week on federal charges that include child exploitation and animal crushing after he allegedly shared a digital photo of himself with an undercover agent that included a certificate on the wall with his name.
Patrick Bryant Hawley, 42, of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, was arrested after he unwittingly spoke with undercover agents in online chats, according to allegations in an affidavit filed Nov. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
A Nov. 15 press release announced the arrest, while the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Fox Chattanooga have coverage.
“I’m really mainly into pedomoms,” Hawley allegedly told one undercover agent.
After Hawley provided the digital image with the certificate showing his name, a database search led to the Chattanooga law office where he practiced law with his father, the affidavit says. Investigators also said they traced an IP address to his home.
Hawley was arrested after he appeared for a meeting with an undercover FBI agent whom he thought was a fellow pedophile, the arrest affidavit says.
Hawley is accused of distributing online videos depicting child sexual abuse and animal abuse and of exchanging sexual videos with a 14-year-old girl. In one photo sent to the girl, details in the background made it possible to identify the residential location, the affidavit says.
The details included a dresser with small drawers, a lamp with a green shade, figurines and a chain hanging on the wall with handcuffs.
In the conversations with the undercover agents, Hawley allegedly used the usernames “Ultimatedadbod” and “hejumpsaround” and expressed a desire for sex with their daughters.
The charges listed in the complaint are animal crushing; sexual exploitation of children; receipt, possession and distribution of material involving sexual exploitation of minors; and coercion and enticement.
A magistrate judge ordered Hawley’s detention. The defendant was represented by Lee Davis and Logan Davis in an initial court appearance. Lee Davis told the ABA Journal that they are waiting to see whether an indictment will be returned Wednesday on the charges in the criminal complaint. An arraignment on the indictment is scheduled for Friday.
Updated Nov. 20 at 9:28 a.m. to include the comment from Lee Davis.