First State Times

David C. Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Michael Natale, 38, from Laurel, Delaware, has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. The plea was accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly on October 29, 2024.

Court documents reveal that between August 21 and August 24, 2021, Natale received multiple files depicting child pornography and shared them via the social media platform Kik. The FBI also arrested another user involved in Newark, New Jersey.

Natale's sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2025. Due to a prior conviction related to similar offenses, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to twenty years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by Chief Judge Connolly after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

U.S. Attorney Weiss emphasized the seriousness of child exploitation offenses: “My office takes child exploitation offenses very seriously. Mr. Natale had an opportunity to learn his lesson and conform his behavior to the law after his first conviction." He praised the FBI’s efforts in apprehending Natale.

FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno stated: “Every time child pornography is viewed on the internet, it re-victimizes a child.” He highlighted that protecting children from predators remains a top priority for the FBI.

The case was investigated by the FBI with Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox prosecuting.

Further details can be found on the websites of both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware and PACER under Case No. 1:23-cr-34.