Former New Jersey Principal Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

John Mangan, a 78-year-old former New Jersey school principal, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography after authorities found over 250 images of child sexual abuse on an electronic device during a search of his Lanoka Harbor home. Mangan has a prior conviction from 1997 for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student while he was a principal, and he also served a decade in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Due to his repeat offender status, Mangan faces an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by Homeland Security agents and is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child exploitation. Sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2025. Authorities emphasized the severity of Mangan's offenses, which include possession of images depicting very young children, some as young as three to five years old.