Metro city official fired, accused of trying to meet up with someone he thought was 14-year-old girl

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The City of Brookhaven fired its director of parks and recreation after he was arrested during an undercover sting in Cobb County.

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell obtained a copy of Patrick Nalley’s arrest warrant.

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Police said Nalley showed up at Whitlock Avenue on Tuesday expecting to meet up with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Investigators said Nalley had explicit sexual conversations online with the girl.

But Nalley didn’t know he was talking to an undercover agent until police say he showed up to the location in a Brookhaven city vehicle while he was on the clock.

The city issued a statement to Channel 2 Action News on Wednesday confirming his arrest and termination.

“Mr. Nalley is terminated immediately. Although we understand the presumption of innocence, we are acting out of an abundance of caution, as our parks and recreation facilities often have hundreds of children and teens recreating or competing in team sports activities during any given summer day. The safety and comfort of our residents and guests and their families are always our top priority in Brookhaven,” Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman said.

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Nalley recently relocated to Georgia for his position with Brookhaven.

He was a longtime resident of Virginia and served as Director of Parks & Recreation for about three months.

Brookhaven officials said Nalley cleared several separate background checks and had no previous criminal record.

He had also served as Director of Recreation & Parks of Henrico County, Virginia, and Director of Recreation, Tourism & Cultural Development in Amherst County, Virginia.

Cobb County Police are continuing their active investigation. Nalley has been booked into the Cobb County Jail.

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