Ex-Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Child Porn, Abuse

Stephen Mantha, 62, of Spencer, Massachusetts, has pleaded guilty to producing, accessing, and possessing child pornography — crimes he committed both in private and on federal time. The former United States Postal Service electronic technician admitted using government computers at the Shrewsbury postal facility to search for and view images and videos of nude and partially nude children, crossing a line from public servant to predator.

Between January and May 2016, federal agents installed surveillance on Mantha’s work computer and later a video camera, capturing him repeatedly conducting illicit searches and viewing child pornography during work hours. The digital trail led back to searches for underage children in sexually suggestive poses — material accessed using taxpayer-funded equipment under the guise of official postal duties.

The investigation began in summer 2015 when the USPS Office of Inspector General flagged suspicious online activity. By August, agents had deployed a computer activity recorder. What they uncovered was a pattern of predatory behavior stretching over months — a man abusing his position and the tools of his job to fuel a sick obsession.

A September 21, 2016, search of Mantha’s home uncovered multiple thumb drives loaded with child pornography. Among the worst discoveries was a video from around 2000 or 2001 showing Mantha sexually assaulting a boy approximately seven years old. That victim, now an adult, was located and confirmed the abuse during an interview with federal agents — a moment of truth after nearly two decades of silence.

Because the sexual exploitation charge stems from 2000–2001, Mantha faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a potential $250,000 fine. The possession and access charges each carry up to 20 years, five years to life in supervised release, and matching fines. Sentencing is scheduled for May 24, 2018, before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Worcester Branch Office and announced by top federal and state law enforcement, including U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, FBI Boston, Homeland Security Investigations, and local police. It was brought under Project Safe Childhood, the DOJ’s nationwide initiative to combat child exploitation — a grim reminder that predators can hide in plain sight, even behind federal badges and government desks.

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