A Florida man has pleaded guilty in federal court to traveling to New York with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and transporting child pornography, federal prosecutors announced.
Michael Fegley Jr., 31, of Tampa, entered the guilty plea in the Northern District of New York.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Fegley admitted that he traveled from Florida to northern New York intending to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old child. Prosecutors said he also transported approximately 1,000 images and videos depicting child pornography that he had obtained online.
Federal officials described the conduct as predatory and calculated, noting that Fegley crossed state lines with the intent to exploit a child.
Fegley faces significant prison time at sentencing, scheduled for April 27, 2026. On the child pornography charge, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. On the travel charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison. He also faces a lengthy term of supervised release, potential fines, restitution to victims, forfeiture of property used in the crimes, and mandatory sex offender registration.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the New York State Police. Prosecutors said the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
Federal authorities said the prosecution underscores their commitment to identifying and holding accountable individuals who travel to exploit children, regardless of where they originate.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
