Laurel County Man Sentenced for Transporting a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

LONDON, Ky. - A London, Ky., man, Austin Hawk, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday to 165 months by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to his plea agreement, from September 25, 2022, through October 25, 2022, Hawk transported a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Hawk left Laurel County with a minor victim and took them on a monthlong cross country road trip, which spanned across 11 states with the pair sleeping inside Hawk's car in parking lots. Hawk admitted that during the trip he engaged in sexual conduct with the minor.

Under federal law, Hawk must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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