Former Smyrna detective sentenced to a decade in prison

SMYRNA, Del. – A former Smyrna Police detective has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for coercing and enticing a minor victim into sexual activity.

Michael Kealty pleaded guilty late last year to coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.

According to court documents, Kealty met a 16-year-old girl online and groomer her for six months into producing sexually explicit images and videos of herself. He allegedly threatened to expose her images to the public if she did not continue to perform for him. Kealty’s online accounts also showed he attempted to exploit additional, unidentified minor girls, including a 13-year-old.

Kealty, a former Smyrna Police Department detective, was charged in October 2023 with distribution and possession of child sex abuse material. He pleaded guilty to the enhanced charge of coercion/enticement of a minor in October 2024. He was subsequently sentenced to the mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison.