Phoenix-area elementary aide arrested on federal child pornography charges as district moves toward termination
Arrest follows search of Glendale home and allegations involving encrypted apps and cryptocurrency payments
A teaching aide who worked with preschool-aged children in a Phoenix-area elementary school program was arrested this week on federal allegations involving child sexual abuse material, according to court filings and a statement from the employee’s school district.
The defendant, Manuel Felix Pantoja, was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, after federal agents and partner law-enforcement agencies searched his home in Glendale, Arizona. In interviews described in the filings, he identified himself as a preschool teacher’s assistant and an after-school teacher at Desert View Elementary School.
What investigators allege
Federal filings describe an investigation covering activity from July 2024 through early February 2026. The documents allege that Pantoja used a dark web marketplace and encrypted messaging applications to obtain and share illegal images and videos depicting children being sexually abused.
Investigators alleged that a Cash App account associated with Pantoja was used to purchase content with cryptocurrency. The filings describe bitcoin transfers totaling about $217 made between October 2024 and December 2024. They also describe additional Cash App transfers—generally between $30 and $75—sent to other users with transaction labels referencing “baby,” “toddlers,” or “toddler age” content.
During the arrest, the filings say Pantoja acknowledged owning and controlling the Cash App account and that it was linked to a Yahoo email address. The filings also describe him disputing at least one bitcoin transaction and denying he used Cash App to buy child sexual abuse material. The same filings state that he told agents he used a separate service to buy Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, when attempting to purchase illegal images through a dark web marketplace.
Investigators also allege that the username “ManCub” was tied to activity on the illegal marketplace and associated messaging accounts. The filings describe recovering more than 100 images or videos suspected to be child sexual abuse material from a phone’s files application, as well as messages that investigators say sought content involving very young children.
District response and employment status
The Washington Elementary School District said it was informed on Wednesday evening, Feb. 18, 2026, that a Desert View Elementary employee had been arrested by the FBI on allegations of possession and receipt of child pornography.
The district said Pantoja had been employed since Sept. 5, 2023, serving as an instructional assistant in a special needs preschool program and in an after-school academy program. The district placed him on administrative leave and said he would be recommended for termination at the next governing board meeting.
District officials said they had no information indicating any Desert View students were involved and that the district was cooperating with the investigation. The district also said employees are required to complete background and fingerprint checks before working with students.
What happens next
The criminal case will proceed in federal court, where prosecutors must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The district’s governing board is expected to consider employment action at a future meeting while the federal case continues.
Any definitive findings about the alleged conduct will depend on court rulings, evidence presented, and the outcome of the prosecution.
If you suspect a child is being exploited online or in person, report it to local law enforcement and use established tip-reporting systems operated by child-protection and law-enforcement agencies.