Former Tampa Bar Owner Sentenced in Federal Child Sex Crimes Case
The former owner of Tampa's Southern Nights bar, Richard Kowalczyck, and his husband, Eric Patrick, have been sentenced to federal prison for child sex crimes. Kowalczyck received 14 years, and Patrick received 10 years, after pleading guilty to attempted coercion…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 5, 2026 —
Richard Kowalczyck, former owner of Tampa’s Southern Nights bar, and his husband, Eric Patrick, have been sentenced to federal prison for child sex crimes. The sentencing follows their guilty pleas to charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Kowalczyck was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, while Patrick received a 10-year sentence. Both men admitted to engaging in the crimes involving a 15-year-old victim, whom they met through the dating application Grindr.
The specific details of the timeline and the full extent of the interactions leading to the charges were part of the proceedings in federal court. The case involved federal law enforcement agencies investigating the alleged crimes.
The Southern Nights bar was previously owned by Kowalczyck. Information regarding the current ownership or operational status of the bar was not provided in the summary.
The legal proceedings concluded with the sentencing by the federal court. The exact date of the sentencing was not specified. The case highlights the use of online platforms in instances of child exploitation.
Story summarized from the original created by Chloe Greenberg on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.
