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 Release

On 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