Smyrna Detective Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

WILMINGTON, Del. – A detective with the Smyrna Police Department was arrested and charged yesterday with violations of federal child sexual exploitation laws.

According to court documents, Michael Anthony Kealty, 33, distributed child pornography via his Snapchat account in August 2023. Federal agents executed a search warrant at his residence on September 22, 2023. Subsequently, they discovered additional child pornography in his Snapchat account.

Kealty has been charged via Complaint with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography. If convicted of distributing child pornography, Kealty faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, with a maximum penalty of 20 years.  If convicted of possession, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case. With the cooperation of the Smyrna Police Department, the case is being investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.