(MARIETTA, Ga. — Feb. 03, 2025) — Cobb County District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced that Patrick Nalley, 47, has pled guilty to obscene internet contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit aggravated child molestation. Superior Court Judge Sonja N. Brown sentenced Nalley to 10 years, with two years to be served in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and comply with the sex offender conditions of probation.

In August of 2023, Nalley was arrested in an undercover sting operation conducted by the Cobb County Police Department Special Victims Unit. The defendant made contact online via social media and messaging apps with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Nalley made plans to meet what he believed to be a child on August 15, 2023. When he arrived at the meeting location, he was taken into custody. The messages exchanged between Nalley and the undercover officers were sexually explicit and described various inappropriate acts he wanted to perform, despite the undercover officer repeatedly stating she was 14 years old.

The defendant was subsequently arrested by the City of Roswell Police for similar charges related to an undercover investigation in their jurisdiction.

“We take these types of crimes very seriously and are committed to ensuring that those who seek to exploit children are held accountable,” said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. “The swift actions of the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit have ensured that this defendant will no longer be a threat to our community.”

Assistant District Attorneys Kristen Judd and Lindsay Raynor prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Ashleigh Bartkus Merchant represented the defendant.