A man from Bradford, Massachusetts has pleaded guilty to traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. Arthur Picanco, 43, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott, who scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2026.
The case stemmed from a law enforcement operation conducted on November 14, 2024. Agents posted and monitored an advertisement on a website often used for commercial sex services. The ad featured images that appeared to be of two minor females and included a contact phone number monitored by law enforcement.
Investigators communicated with potential buyers through the provided number, including Picanco. Authorities say Picanco arranged to pay $100 to have sex with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. An undercover agent then gave him the address of a hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire. Picanco traveled from Massachusetts to the hotel and confirmed upon arrival that he had cash and intended to meet the minor.
Police arrested Picanco at the scene and found him carrying a condom and more than $100 in cash.
Homeland Security Investigations led the inquiry with assistance from the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski, Matthew Vicinanzo, and Alex Chen are prosecuting the case.
According to federal officials, this prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation and abuse using coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
