The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

The co-owner of Southern Nights and other LGBTQ+ bars and nightclubs in Orlando and Tampa, and his partner, have been indicted on multiple federal charges including possession and distribution of child pornography and conspiracy to entice a minor,

The owner of Orlando bar and LGBTQ+ community hub Southern Nights has been indicted on multiple counts related to child pornography, according to a report by Watermark. Richard Kowalczyk, owner of Southern Nights Orlando and Tampa,

The indictment says Kowalczyk participated in conversations on private messaging platform Telegram that go back as far as 2019.

An Ybor City bar owner and his romantic partner are facing child porn charges. Richard "Rich" Kowalczyk, the owner of Southern Nights in Ybor City, and his romantic partner Eric Patrick, a teacher, stand accused of transmitting child pornography and conspiring to solicit a minor for sex acts.

Richard Kowalczyk will step back from his businesses, which include Orlando bars District Dive and Stiffy’s. The indictment includes graphic text and other messages about child sexual activity

The owner of Southern Nights, a nightclub located on Bumby Avenue, and another defendant were indicted by a federal grand jury just before Christmas.

The proprietor of the well-known nightclub Southern Nights in Ybor City, Florida, Richard Rick Kowalczyk and his partner were charged with soliciting a juvenile for sex activities and sending child pornography.