PHOTO BY WESLEY TINGEY VIA UNSPLASH.COM
As reported by Bellanee Plaza for Watermark, the former owner of Southern Nights Orlando (Facebook | Instagram), Richard Kowalczyk, pleaded guilty on March 27 to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to federal court records filed April 6.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison and a maximum of life, along with up to a $250,000 fine and a lifetime supervised release term. Under the plea agreement, four additional counts, including conspiracy to entice a minor, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, will be dismissed at sentencing.
Kowalczyk’s husband, Eric Patrick, a former Orange County Public Schools teacher, pleaded guilty in January to a related charge of attempting to lure a 15-year-old for sex. According to prosecutors, the couple met the minor on Grindr and exchanged graphic content on the messaging platform Telegram. Patrick’s plea agreement requires him to register as a sex offender and cooperate with prosecutors against Kowalczyk.
Read Plaza’s full report HERE.
Ownership of Kowalczyk’s nightclub properties was transferred to a third party back in January 2025.
