A 36-year-old former Bourbon County middle school wrestling coach who also worked as a University of Kentucky HealthCare nurse is now facing federal charges accusing her of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy across state lines. Megan Foley was already facing state rape and sodomy charges when federal prosecutors added the new counts this week, escalating a case that has stretched from a rural Kentucky gun club to trips across the Ohio border.
A federal criminal complaint filed August 7, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky charged Foley with online enticement of a minor and transporting a minor across state lines for illegal sexual activity, according to Z93 Country. Investigators say Foley communicated with the teenager through text messages, Snapchat and TikTok, according to WDRB. Investigators also said Foley admitted to the abuse, per the same report. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program was also referenced in the case.
A federal court affidavit filed in August 2026 alleges the illegal sexual activity took place during trips to Ohio in May, at Foley's residence in Carlisle, Kentucky, and inside a camper at the Central Kentucky Gun Club in Berea, according to Z93 Country. WDRB reports the alleged abuse also occurred during a trip to Madison County. The federal charges Foley now faces add a federal dimension to the case. In a separate case, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that Carlan Travis Penney Jr., 46, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
How the Investigation Started
The case began with a report on July 3, 2026, according to a Facebook post from Crime Talk. The 14-year-old told his father that Foley had abused him during a trip to Berea. The teen reportedly received flirty text messages from Foley, who allegedly would “get mean” if the teenager did not comply, according to The Berea Citizen.
Foley was arrested by Kentucky State Police in Madison County and was later released on a $50,000 cash bond, per the Crime Talk post. LEX 18 reported on Foley's state case. The state case was sent to a grand jury, the station reported.
Fallout at School and Hospital
Bourbon County Schools confirmed in July that Foley was no longer associated with the district, where she had served as an assistant middle school wrestling coach, per LEX 18's reporting. A University of Kentucky spokesperson separately confirmed that Foley worked as a registered nurse for UK HealthCare and was placed on administrative leave.
The Kentucky Board of Nursing suspended Foley's nursing license in July. The state and federal charges are both part of the ongoing case, and journalists are continuing to track further disciplinary and licensing actions from both the school district and the university as the case moves forward. The Kentucky Board of Nursing's disciplinary action against Foley concerns her nursing license. The case also involves Foley's nursing license.
