Mass. Man Sentenced for Traveling to NH to Have Sex with Minor

Arthur Picanco received 7 years in federal prison for intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 43-year-old Massachusetts man named Arthur Picanco has been sentenced to 7 years in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release for traveling to New Hampshire with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Picanco previously pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct after being caught in a law enforcement sting operation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to identify and prosecute individuals who attempt to sexually exploit minors, even through online communications and travel across state lines. It also underscores the serious penalties faced by those convicted of such crimes.

The details

In November 2024, law enforcement agents posted an advertisement on a website commonly used for commercial sex, containing images of what appeared to be two minor females. Picanco arranged to pay $100 to have sex with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, and then traveled from Massachusetts to a hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire to meet her. When police arrested Picanco at the hotel, they found he had a condom and over $100 in cash.

  • On November 14, 2024, law enforcement agents posted the advertisement that led to Picanco's arrest.
  • Picanco traveled from Massachusetts to New Hampshire to the hotel on an unspecified date.

The players

Arthur Picanco

A 43-year-old man from Bradford, Massachusetts who was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for traveling to New Hampshire with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Erin Creegan

The U.S. Attorney who stated that individuals who travel across state lines to exploit children in New Hampshire will be found, prosecuted, and held accountable.

Michael Krol

The Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England, who said Picanco actively chose to pursue a child and made deliberate choices to make it happen.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Individuals who travel across state lines to exploit children in New Hampshire will be found, prosecuted, and held accountable.”

— Erin Creegan, U.S. Attorney (boston25news.com)

“Picanco actively chose to pursue a child. He believed he was chatting with a trafficker offering him a chance to assault a child for a fee, and he made deliberate choices to make it happen.”

— Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in New England (boston25news.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Arthur Picanco out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to identify and prosecute individuals who attempt to sexually exploit minors, even through online communications and travel across state lines. It underscores the serious penalties faced by those convicted of such crimes.