Shannon T. Hanson Acting United States Attorney for the District of Delaware | U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware
Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Kealty has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for coercing and enticing a minor into sexual activity. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.
Court documents reveal that Kealty met a 16-year-old girl online and groomed her over six months to produce sexually explicit images and videos. He threatened to expose these images if she did not comply with his demands. His online accounts also indicated attempts to exploit other unidentified minors, including a 13-year-old.
Kealty, previously a detective with the Smyrna Police Department, was charged in October 2023 with Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. On October 15, 2024, he pleaded guilty to Coercion/Enticement of a Minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson stated, “Mr. Kealty betrayed his oath, his badge, and his community by exploiting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children." She commended the FBI for their work on the case.
Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office remarked on the severity of Kealty's crimes given his position meant to protect communities and children: “Delaware is safer with him locked up where can no longer victimize or abuse anyone else.”
The FBI investigated this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox prosecuted it.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.
