The former co-owner of the LGBTQ+ club and his partner are now arrested He is accused of trying to have sex with a 15-year-old boy he found on a dating app.
According to court documents, 44-year-old Richard Kowalczyk and his 31-year-old partner, teacher Eric Patrick, sent graphic messages via wire in January 2023 about sex acts with underage boys.
Investigators say the couple traveled to Key West to meet an underage boy they met at Grindr.
Kowalczyk and Patrick replaced Officials said it included “discussions of actual sexual contact with minors” as well as “multiple images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.”
When investigators searched the couple's home, they found “83 images and two videos of child exploitation” on Kowalczyk's cell phone, including of children under the age of 12. They also obtained evidence of conversations between the couple about allegedly trying to meet underage sex partners on the Grindr app.
Investigators say the couple traveled to Key West to meet a 15- or 16-year-old underage boy they met at Grindr.
The indictment alleges that the two attempted to “persuade, induce, instigate, or coerce” underage boys into engaging in sexual acts or producing pornography.
Kowalczyk owned Southern Nights, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Ybor City, Florida, but transferred ownership after being indicted.
The club announced that statement About that incident.
“As an LGBTQ+ nightclub, we constantly face adversity,” the statement reads. “We have fought hard for our reputation and our community. The allegations that have recently come to light are not something we take lightly and will never tolerate. Our company has no involvement in these allegations. I haven’t.”
Kowalczyk faces numerous charges, including conspiracy to entice a minor, possession of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Patrick is charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, conspiracy to entice a minor, and distribution of child pornography.
Patrick's lawyer, John Notar, said: told WTVT TV He said he looks forward to defending his innocence in court.
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