Waltham Police Officer Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

BOSTON—A Waltham Police officer was charged today with sending and receiving child pornography.

Paul Manganelli, 46, of Waltham, was charged in a criminal complaint with receipt of child pornography. The statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. At an initial appearance this afternoon, Chief Magistrate Judge Leo T. Sorokin ordered Manganelli detained until March 28, 2013, when he will return to court for a detention hearing.

According to court documents, agents learned that Manganelli, using a Yahoo! e-mail address, had been sending and receiving images containing child pornography from his home in Waltham to individuals outside of Massachusetts. On March 25, 2013, a search warrant was executed at Manganelli’s home, during which Manganelli admitted possessing, receiving, and distributing child pornography via e-mail. Manganelli further identified images of child pornography as being photos he sent and received.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274, and messages will be promptly returned.

This case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the complaint affidavit are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.