U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Nicholas Mangione, a 44-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography following a prior conviction. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who managed the case, reported that Mangione had previously been convicted in April 2013 for possession of child pornography and served a 48-month prison sentence. On August 15, 2024, authorities executed a federal search warrant at Mangione's residence after he uploaded a file containing child pornography to Snapchat's server. During the search, his cell phone was seized and found to contain approximately 20 images and 52 videos of child pornography. It was also revealed that Mangione distributed child pornography through the Telegram application in exchange for other illicit files.
On August 16, 2024, Mangione was arrested on state charges in New York and found with another cell phone containing similar illegal content. Some materials depicted severe exploitation and violence against children.
The investigation leading to this plea involved efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the New York State Police led by Major Amie Feroleto.
Mangione is scheduled for sentencing on September 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., before Judge Vilardo.
