Manhattan Teacher Sentenced To 150 Months For Child Pornography

Anthony Michael Souza admitted to receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material, as well as sexually exploiting a student

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a broken camera lens or other crime-related physical evidence, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh flash of a camera captures the fragmented remains of a crime, exposing the disturbing truth behind a teacher's betrayal of trust.Manhattan Today

A 38-year-old Manhattan arts and theater teacher, Anthony Michael Souza, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for receiving and distributing child pornography and sexually exploiting at least one of his students. Prosecutors say Souza sent and received about 250 videos and 1,050 images of child sexual abuse while working in New York City classrooms, and also maintained a sexual relationship with a minor student.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious threat posed by educators who abuse their positions of trust to exploit and victimize children. Federal authorities are cracking down on the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, and are working to hold accountable those who prey on students in their care.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Souza sent and received about 250 videos and roughly 1,050 images of child sexual abuse while working in city classrooms, including files that depicted the rape and abuse of very young children. Souza also photographed and recorded clothed children inside his classrooms and maintained a sexual relationship with a minor identified as 'Minor-1', which he filmed, while inviting other men to participate in group sex. Court filings further describe an attempted grooming of a fifth grade student that stopped only when the child hung up on Souza and blocked him.

  • On April 7, 2026, Anthony Michael Souza was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison.

The players

Anthony Michael Souza

A 38-year-old Manhattan arts and theater teacher who worked in multiple New York City public schools and was convicted of receiving and distributing child pornography, as well as sexually exploiting a student.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who called Souza's crimes a 'betrayal of trust' and said 'Souza is off our streets for years and should never be close to a school again.'

U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla

The judge who handed down the 150-month sentence for Souza.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Souza is off our streets for years and should never be close to a school again.”

— U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

What’s next

Prosecutors say the sentence is part of a broader push to target those who produce and traffic in child sexual abuse material and to hold educators accountable when they prey on students. Local schools and parents in Manhattan may see more outreach in the coming months as authorities work with victim services providers to support anyone affected by Souza's conduct.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for vigilance and accountability when it comes to educators who abuse their positions of trust. It underscores the importance of robust background checks, ongoing monitoring, and swift action to protect vulnerable students from predators within the school system.