Kent, Ohio — Patrick T. Warczak, a Kent resident and corporate law attorney, is currently out on bond as he awaits sentencing after admitting to charges related to soliciting a minor. The charge, defined as importuning, is considered a third-degree felony.
In the legal documents submitted to Portage County Common Pleas Court on April 23, 2024, it’s reported that the mother of a 12-year-old boy raised alarms about Warczak’s inappropriate communications with her son. The boy’s mother, who described Warczak as a family friend, reached out to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office detailing her concerns. She noted that the interactions occurred via text messages exchanged on the child’s cell phone.
Further details revealed that Warczak’s children and the victim attend the same parochial school in Kent, where Warczak’s wife also serves as a track team coach. One particular message, exchanged between December 2023 and April 2024, indicated Warczak’s hopes of sharing a hotel room with the boy during a Washington, D.C. school field trip.
Investigators uncovered hundreds of messages from Warczak to the youngster, describing them as “disturbing and inappropriate.” The sheriff’s office’s probe also led to the discovery of computer-generated graphic images depicting pre-teen and teenage boys on Warczak’s mobile device.
Warczak was taken into custody on April 26, 2024, but managed to secure his release the same day after posting bond. He entered a guilty plea on January 27 and is scheduled for sentencing on April 28.
Prosecutors in the case are advocating for a stringent sentence. They have requested that Judge Laurie Pittman of the Portage County Common Pleas Court impose the maximum five-year prison term. In addition, they suggest a subsequent two-year probation period with specific conditions, the violation of which could lead to further penalties.
The case not only highlights significant concerns about child safety within community and school settings but also raises questions about the responsibilities of adults in positions of trust and authority. It underscores the importance of parental vigilance and robust legal measures to combat and prevent such offenses.
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