Westport Pride Rainbow Lights Allegedly Vandalized Overnight; Many Missing or Damaged on Route 1 Bridge
Westport Pride Press ReleaseAt 8:00 AM, Brian McGunagle, founder of Westport Pride, while driving to work, noticed that the rainbow balloons placed on the bridge lights in celebration of Pride month had been removed.
Most of the lights on the northbound side of the bridge, a Westport landmark, had the colorful balloons torn off and several lights were damaged. The southbound side of the bridge appears intact.
McGunagle said, "Hate has no home in Westport, and Westport Pride will continue to pursue its mission of radical welcome in our community despite any acts of vandalism."
Via email, the Downtown Association committed to replacing the balloons today and every time going forward. The alleged crime comes just days after Westport Pride held its first Pride Rally on Jesup Green on June 5th with attendance nearing 500.
Sal Liccione, RTM District 9, which represents downtown, and Westport Police are at the scene currently investigating.
Queens Man Held on $500,000 Bond after Coercing Westport Teen to Send Nude Photos, Sharing them
Westport Police Department Photo. A Queens, New York man [Anthony Pangallo, 37] was arrested by the Westport Police Department on Tuesday after a months-long investigation across multiple law enforcement teams. Allegations describe Pangallo’s coercion of a Westport teenage girl, making her send him nude photos of herself, at which point he then requested money from the girl in order for him to keep the photos private. The arrest report states that when the girl did not pay, Pangallo shared the photos of the minor.
The Westport Police Department investigation included the help of the New York Police Department, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Queen’s County District Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Connecticut State’s Attorney.
Pangallo was held on $500,000 bond, and was transported to Stamford Superior Court for his arraignment on Wednesday.
Anthony Pangallo, of Rego Park, New York, has been charged with:
Risk of Injury to a Child
Employing a Minor in Obscene Performance
Promoting a Minor in Obscene Performance
Coercion
Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image
Westport Police Department ReleaseOn December 4, 2020, the Westport Police Detective Bureau received a report of the possible exploitation of a local teenager. The complainant reported that she befriended an individual on social media. This individual persuaded the complainant to send nude photos of herself to him. After a period of time passed, the suspect allegedly told the complainant that if she did not pay him a sum of money, he would put the pictures on social media. When the complainant refused to pay, the suspect purportedly posted the compromising pictures.
The detectives launched an extensive investigation that included the execution of several search warrants and Anthony Pangallo was developed as a suspect. The evidence gathered suggested that Mr. Pangallo, who is thirty-seven years old, was the individual who engaged in the illegal conduct noted above. Therefore, a warrant for Mr. Pangallo’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the morning of May 25, 2021, Mr. Pangallo was taken into custody by Westport detectives. Per the warrant, he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child, Employing a Minor in Obscene Performance, Promoting a Minor in Obscene Performance, Coercion, and Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image. Mr. Pangallo was held on a $500,000.00 bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of May 26, 2021 for his arraignment.
We would like to thank the following law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation:
NYPD Computer Crimes Squad of the Special Investigations Division
Queens II – Sex Offender Unit New York State, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Queens County District Attorney’s Office
Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford – Norwalk
Westport Police Adds New Member to their Ranks: Officer Stephen Silva
Press ReleaseThe Westport Police Department is pleased to announce that Stephen Silva has joined its ranks. Officer Silva was sworn in during a small ceremony earlier today in front of his family and friends.
Officer Silva started his career in law enforcement in 2016 with the Bridgeport Police Department. During his time in Bridgeport, he worked in the patrol division, served as an acting detective, and was a member of the department’s honor guard. In addition to working full time as a police officer, Officer Silva is pursuing a degree in Emergency Management at Post University.
Public service is clearly something that runs in Officer Silva’s family as one brother is a detective with the Trumbull Police Department and the other is a corrections officer.
Chief Foti Koskinas stated that, “Officer Silva brings a wealth of experience and there is little doubt that he will be a great addition to the department. Please join me in welcoming him to the community.”
Local Therapist, Former Staples Peer Advisors Leader Michael Newman Arrested on Child Pornography Charges; Released on $250,000 Bond
Westport Police Department Photo. Following a Westport Police Department investigation that began on December 12, 2020 - local therapist and former advisor to the Staples High School Peer Advisor program, Michael Newman, was arrested on Friday for:
Possession of child pornography in the third degree [possession of less than 20 images/videos containing pornography of children. Class D felony; prison sentences up to five years; fine of up to $5,000]
Obscenity
Promoting a minor in obscene performance.
The investigation found the illegal content downloaded to devices at both his Westport home and business addresses. He was released on $250,000 bond and was scheduled for a court hearing this morning.
Newman founded the Peer Advisors group at Staples High School in 1995, explaining in a 2011 Staples’ Inklings News interview that “It is a very open and honest environment where students can talk in total confidence about any issues that they want.” The extra curricular activity was de-funded by the Board of Education in 2011, being converted into a school club that the non-profit Education and Prevention Institute of Connecticut agreed to fund.
Newman had also served as a prominent therapist and counselor for youth in the community, with an office in Westport.
Westport Police Department Press ReleaseOn December 12, 2020, the Westport Police Department’s Detective Bureau received information that a town resident was possibly downloading child pornography onto his electronic devices. The detective investigating the matter was able to determine that the IP address of the device(s) being utilized to download the suspected images did in fact come back to a home in Westport.
A search warrant was applied for and granted to search the computers and electronic devices at the address in question. A second search warrant was granted to search the computer and electronic devices at the suspect’s office which is also located in Westport. During an examination of the devices that were seized, images of suspected child pornography allegedly downloaded by Michael Newman were located. Based upon the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Newman’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the evening of May 21, 2021, Mr. Newman turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with Obscenity, Possession of Child Pornography in the Third Degree, and Promoting a Minor in Obscene Performance. Mr. Newman was released after posting a $250,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned the morning of Monday, May 24, 2021.