Aurora cop charged with sex crime

Michael Mangino

AURORA | A veteran Aurora police officer is facing several felony charges after investigators say he took sexually explicit pictures of a 15-year-old runaway he arrested. 

Officer Michael Mangino, 51, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, both felonies. The 29-year APD veteran also faces a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct. 

Mangino, who worked as a DARE officer as well as a police area representative in northwest Aurora, turned himself in to the Adams County Jail on Monday and was released on a $20,000 bond. 

The incident involving the 15-year-old girl happened in early March and Mangino was placed on paid administrative leave March 17, Aurora police Chief Dan Oates said at a press conference Monday. 

When Mangino was arrested on criminal charges Monday, he was placed on unpaid leave, Oates said. 

Click below for the release from APD.

 Statement Released by the Aurora Police Department

Aurora, Colo. – The Aurora Police Department is releasing the following statement in connection with today’s arrest of an Aurora Police Officer for two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Class 4 Felony), and misdemeanor Official Misconduct in connection with a single incident involving the arrest of a runaway 15-year-old female.

The Aurora Police Department was recently made aware of the allegation of inappropriate conduct by Officer Michael Mangino with this runaway.  The allegation was immediately investigated by the Crimes Against Children Unit, and Officer Mangino was placed on administrative leave with pay on March 17, 2011.  The allegation was that this event occurred while Officer Mangino was on duty.

Officer Mangino turned himself into the Adams County Sheriff’s Office this morning, was processed and released after posting $20,000 bond.  Pursuant to Police Department policy, he was placed on administrative leave without pay effective this morning.  Pursuant to the Aurora City Charter, once the criminal charges in this case are resolved, the Police Department will complete an internal affairs investigation as well. 

Officer Mangino has been with the Aurora Police Department for 29 years.  His most recent assignment was as a Police Area Representative (PAR) officer in Area 6 of District 1.  PAR Officers focus on problem solving, education and crime prevention.

Officer Mangino has also worked as a DARE instructor in several elementary schools.  There is no evidence at this time that Officer Mangino victimized any other persons. However, because of his exposure to youth through the DARE Program, the Aurora Police are working closely with the leadership in the schools where he was an instructor. 

While there is no evidence at this time, the Aurora Police Department recognizes that there may be other persons, adult and/or juvenile, who may have been victimized by Officer Mangino using his position of authority as a police officer.  The community is encouraged to provide any information that might be relevant to this matter to Sgt Joe Young at 303-739-6093 or the Crimes Against Children Unit 303-739-6155.

Chief Daniel Oates will hold a press conference at 1:45 p.m. this afternoon about this matter. No additional information or comments about this matter will be released after the Chief’s conference today, as this case is pending prosecution by the Adams County District Attorney’s Office, unless there is a change in Mr. Mangino’s employment status or in the case.                          #####