LEXINGTON — A former band director for Anderson County High School has entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court. And he also entered a plea on Tuesday on state charges.

Patrick Brady, who led the marching band to a pair of state titles, has entered a guilty plea on one count of sexual exploitation of children. The alleged incidents occurred between March 2022 and May 2023 both in and out of the school. The teacher and student had numerous conversations over social media.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported the plea agreement in federal court.

Brady had been charged on four counts in Anderson Circuit Court last summer. Brady, 38, of Springfield, was scheduled to be in circuit court on Tuesday.

There is no parole or probation in the federal system. He could be sentenced in August from 15-30 years and fined up to $250,000. Supervised probation would be required following his release.

On Tuesday, Brady entered a guilty plea to 11 state charges in Anderson Circuit Court.

Brady was arrested and indicted in July of 2023 following an investigation into his inappropriate relationship with a student between August 2022 and May 2023.

Brady was charged with four counts of first-degree unlawful transactions with a minor, promoting sexual performance by a minor, third-degree rape, two counts of third-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities, and tampering with physical evidence.

Brady was last seen in Anderson Circuit Court on Dec. 19 for his pre-trial conference and appeared again on Tuesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. virtually from Woodford County Detention Center with his attorney Chad Cole in the courtroom for his status hearing to discuss the plea agreement he signed on April 5.

Circuit Judge Melanie Brummer asked Brady for his understanding that entering this plea agreement means waiving his constitutional rights including the right to a trial by jury, the right to testify on his own behalf, to call witnesses, to cross examine witnesses, to produce evidence, or to appeal this matter to a higher court.

Brummer also asked if it is Brady’s desire to waive those rights in order to accept the commonwealth’s offer on the matter and to enter into this plea knowingly, freely, and voluntarily to which Brady replied “yes ma’am”.

For counts one through four, of unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree, Brady pleaded guilty to each count with a recommendation from the court of five years for each count.

For count five, promoting sexual performance by a minor, Brady pleaded guilty for a recommendation of five years. For count six, rape in the third degree, Brady pleaded guilty for a recommended three years.

For counts seven and eight, sodomy in the third degree, Brady pleaded guilty with a recommended three years for each count. For count nine, sexual abuse in the first degree, Brady pleaded guilty, with a recommendation of three years.

For count 10, unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual or otherwise prohibited activity, Brady pleaded guilty, with a recommendation of five years. Finally, for count 11, tampering with physical evidence, Brady pleaded guilty with a recommendation of three years.

The Commonwealth, represented in court by attorney Heather Humble, recommended a sentence of 15 years to be served, including counts one through four, six, seven, eight, nine and 11 running concurrently and that being served consecutively to counts five and 10. The total sentence would be 15 years.

Brummer stated the 15 years to serve is at a 20% parole eligibility and an additional five-year post incarceration supervision in accordance with KRS 532.043.

Brady was made aware by the court that he is required to register as a sex offender for a lifetime, in accordance with the law, and is to complete the Sex Offender Treatment program.

Brady was also advised by the court to have no contact with the minor victim.

Brummer added this case is running concurrent with his federal case which is pending before the western district of Kentucky.

The court accepted Brady’s guilty pleas in order that a PSI report be completed which allows for the judge to have all information necessary to determine the proper sentence for the defendant as well as Sex Offer Registration Act (SORA) to be completed prior to sentencing.

The offender’s “risk level” is established at the SORA hearing. The risk level means the amount of future risk the offender may present to the community.

Brady will return to Anderson Circuit Court for final sentencing on July 23 at 11 a.m. with his federal sentencing set for August 22, 2024.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office led the local investigation. He was terminated last August from his school position.