Florida Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Transporting Child Pornography and Traveling to Engage in Unlawful Sex

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Michael Fegley, Jr., age 32, was sentenced on April 27, 2026 to 108 months' imprisonment and 15 years' supervised release for transporting child pornography and traveling with intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with what he thought was a 13-year-old child. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

When he pled guilty, Fegley admitted that he traveled from Florida to the Northern District of New York intending to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a purported 13-year-old child. He also admitted that he brought with him about 1,000 images and videos depicting child pornography that he had obtained on the internet.

In addition to the imprisonment and supervised release terms, Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered Fegley to pay $25,000 in restitution and various special assessments. Fegley also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone said: "The sentence of nearly a decade in prison and another decade and a half of post-release supervision will help protect the public from further crimes by this dangerous offender. He not only traveled hundreds of miles to meet who he thought was as child for sex, but he also brought with him approximately 1,000 child pornography files. My Office is committed to working with our agency partners to successfully prosecute anyone who comes into the Northern District of New York intending to harm a child."

"The sentencing of this predator sends a clear message: those who cross state lines to target and exploit children will face the full force of justice," said Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Buffalo. "HSI will pursue offenders wherever they go and ensure they are held accountable for their actions. The unwavering determination of HSI Albany and our partners ensures that those who threaten the safety of children are stopped and brought to justice."

HSI and the New York State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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