A New Boston man has admitted in federal court to a disturbing online scheme that prosecutors say was designed to terrify a child into sending more sexually explicit images. Michael David Bulanda, 37, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Sept. 22. Authorities say Bulanda sent a nude image of the girl to another man, pressed him to blackmail her for “more nudes,” and handed over personal details about her siblings and friends to ratchet up the pressure.
Prosecutors' statements
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said the plot was crafted to make the child feel fear so she could be further exploited, calling the guilty plea an important step toward accountability. FBI Detroit special agent in charge Jennifer Runyan credited the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes, or SEMTEC, task force and said the admission of guilt “ensures this predator will be held accountable,” according to CBS Detroit.
How investigators tied the case to a separate probe
The case surfaced after an unrelated child exploitation investigation in Philadelphia in December 2025, when agents there arrested a man suspected of producing child pornography. Prosecutors say investigators uncovered chat logs showing Bulanda had shared the minor's photo and urged the other man to blackmail her for more images. Those records also allege Bulanda passed along personal information about the victim and even talked about posting her image publicly to crank up the pressure, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Enforcement context
The plea comes as federal authorities increase pressure on online child exploitation networks. A Department of Justice release on a recent nationwide push, dubbed Operation Iron Pursuit, reports that the sweep identified more than 200 victims and led to over 350 arrests, underscoring that federal agents are treating these cases as a top national priority, per the Department of Justice.
Next steps and resources
Bulanda pleaded to a single federal count and, according to local reporting, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life at his Sept. 22 hearing. Authorities credited SEMTEC and the FBI Philadelphia field office with moving the case forward, as noted by ClickOnDetroit. Families and anyone with concerns about possible child exploitation can find resources and a 24/7 hotline through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
