Laurel Co. man sentenced for transporting minor for criminal sexual activity

LONDON, Ky. – A London, Kentucky man has been sentenced to over 160 months in prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, officials say.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky, 26-year-old Austin Hawk was sentenced Wednesday to 165 months.

According to a 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 the minor victim and took the minor on a monthlong cross country road trip, officials say, spanning across 11 states with the pair sleeping inside of Hawk’s car in parking lots.

Officials say Hawk admitted that during the trip, he had engaged in sexual conduct with the minor.

Hawk is required under federal law to serve 85% of his prison sentence, officials say. Upon release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI.