An Ocean County, New Jersey resident has admitted to possessing images of child sexual abuse, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. John Mangan, aged 78 from Lanoka Harbor, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to one count of possession of child pornography.
Court documents and statements revealed that on October 29, 2024, agents from the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Mangan’s residence in Lanoka Harbor. They discovered an electronic device containing over 250 images depicting children being sexually abused. Mangan has prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors, including a New Jersey conviction for sexual assault against a minor during his tenure as a school principal and a previous federal conviction for possession of child pornography.
Due to his previous convictions, the charge carries an enhanced mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and could result in up to 20 years imprisonment along with a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for October 21, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Habba acknowledged the efforts of special agents from Homeland Security Investigations Newark under Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel for their work leading to the guilty plea.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and rescue victims.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Belgiovine from the Criminal Division in Trenton.
Defense counsel: Suzanne Axel from Hackensack, New Jersey.
