Keane, New Hampshire Man Caught in FBI Sting, Charged with Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that Michael Healey, Jr., 49, of Keane, New Hampshire, has been charged by criminal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

On May 1, 2026, Healey appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle for an initial appearance. On May 4, 2026, Healey appeared for a detention hearing, and the Court ordered Healey released on conditions pending trial.

According to court records, Healey allegedly messaged an undercover law enforcement officer, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Healey later agreed to pay the fictitious 14-year-old girl $200 for sex at a hotel in Brattleboro, Vermont. He arrived at the hotel on the evening of April 30, 2026. Law enforcement took Healy into custody after he approached the room where he was expecting to meet the fictitious 14-year-old girl. Law enforcement found $200 in cash on Healey's person during Healey's arrest.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that the criminal complaint contains allegations only and that Healey is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Healey faces up to 30 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory sentencing factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the FBI and thanked the Vermont Drug Task Force for their assistance during the law enforcement sting operation.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Joshua L. Banker. Healey is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 Justice.gov/PSC.