Lexington, Ky. – Fayette District Court Judge Denotra Gunther signed an order on Nov. 5 dismissing the charge against Henry Clay High School football coach Phillip Hawkins. The dismissal, entered with prejudice, means the case cannot be refiled.
Legal basis for dismissal
Prosecutors moved to dismiss after completing discovery, stating the photographs described by the minors – a nude woman without any sexual act – did not satisfy Kentucky’s statutory definition of obscene material. Because an essential element of the charge could not be established, the Commonwealth’s motion was granted.
The Commonwealth emphasized that the motion was not a determination of whether Hawkins actually showed the images. Even if the alleged conduct occurred, the described photographs would not meet the legal threshold for the charge.
Procedural outcome
The order directs the Fayette District Court clerk and the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts to automatically expunge and seal Hawkins’ record within 30 days, as required by state law.
Background
Hawkins, 57, was charged in August with first‑degree distribution of obscene matter to minors after three Henry Clay football players reported he showed them a photo of a nude woman on his phone. Hawkins denied the allegations in an interview with LEX Sports. Fayette County Public Schools placed him on administrative leave but did not comment further.
Hawkins became Henry Clay’s head football coach before the 2025 season, after leading Bryan Station High School to a state championship game appearance in 2023.
This development clears the coach’s name pending the expungement and allows the football program to move forward without the cloud of pending criminal charges.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
