Francis Creek man indicted on federal child sex crimes

A 75-year-old man from Francis Creek in Manitowoc County is facing indictments on federal crimes against minors.

According to the federal indictment, Michael J. Kornely transported two separate minor victims across state lines with the “intent to engage in criminal sexual activity” in 2005 and 2006.

Kornely is also alleged to have used a computer to “persuade, induce and entice” a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity in March 2024.

If convicted of any of the three charges alleged in the indictment, Kornely faces a mandatory 10 years of imprisonment and up to a lifetime of incarceration. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and would be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.

This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff‘s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Two Rivers Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble and Timothy W. Funnell.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice.