NORFOLK, Va. - A Chief Petty Officer in the Navy pleaded guilty to trying to send inappropriate messages to a 13-year old girl during a court hearing on Friday morning.
Scott Penny took a plea deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to one of the four charges he faced. The 38 year-old was arrested earlier this year. His attorney hopes the plea deal will lead to a shorter prison sentence. "He's definitely remorseful," said Scott Hallauer. "He's seeking treatment."
Penny was chatting with an undercover federal agent on the social networking app KIK, the court documents say. The agent's profile listed a date of birth for a 13-year old girl.
Court documents reveal graphic messages agents say Penny sent to the account, including videos of him touching himself.
In one image, he is seen wearing a t-shirt with a military emblem. Agents checked with NCIS and it was confirmed Penny is a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy.
Penny faces ten years in prison. He'll be sentenced in December.
