NEW BOSTON – A Wayne County man who shared a nude photo of a minor with another man online to persuade him into blackmailing the child for additional explicit images was sentenced in federal court this week.
Michael David Bulanda, 37, of New Boston, pleaded guilty in June to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor in connection to a separate child exploitation investigation into the other man by the FBI.
According to court records, agents with the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office arrested the man in December 2025 on charges related to the production of child sexual abuse material. During that investigation, authorities discovered online communications involving Bulanda and the defendant.
Prosecutors said Bulanda shared a nude image of the minor victim with the man and encouraged him to use it to blackmail the child to coerce them into sending additional explicit images.
Federal authorities said Bulanda provided personal information about the victim, including details about family members and friends, to help facilitate the scheme. Court records further state that Bulanda and the other individual discussed posting the victim’s image publicly as a way to intimidate and pressure the child into complying with demands for additional explicit material.
Bulanda was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 12 years in federal prison in the case, followed by five years of supervised release.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender, take part in a federal computer/internet monitoring program, and refrain from contacting any child under 18 years old without permission from his probation officer.
