Waltham Police Officer Placed on Leave After Child Porn Charges

A Waltham Police officer facing child pornography charges has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy.

Officer Paul Manganelli is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, March 26 at the federal courthouse in Boston in connection with child porn charges. 

“The allegations are disgusting. My thoughts are with his family,” McCarthy told Waltham Patch without specifying the identity of the officer. 

Manganelli, who lives in Waltham, also owns and operates a DJ business he started with a friend in 1984, according to its website. The business has played childrens’ parties, according to the website. Also, Manganelli won $1 million on a "$100,000 A Year For Life" scratch ticket from the state lottery in 2011, according to a Massachusetts State Lottery spokesman. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Manganelli on Monday, March 25 at his Waltham home, according to the Boston Globe. 

Manganelli’s arrest is the second serious incident involving a Waltham Police officer in one year. In June 2012, Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix was arrested for allegedly attacking his wife nad her friend at his Maynard home. LaCroix remains on paid administrative leave and under house arrest. His trial is scheduled to begin on June 20. McCarthy attempted to reassure residents' faith in the police department.

“There are a lot of dedicated police officers who do their job everyday. I appreciate that they do. This is not a reflection of the entire department,” McCarthy told Waltham Patch.