Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has announced the arrest of Ross Lanvin on charges related to possession of child pornography. Lanvin, a middle school teacher in Manhattan, is accused of possessing hundreds of images and videos depicting children from ages 3 to pre-pubescent engaging in explicit conduct. He was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron in Manhattan federal court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated: “As alleged, Ross Lanvin, who had close contact with students as a teacher at a public school in Manhattan, possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. Together with our partners at the NYPD and Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigations for the NYC School District, we will continue to work to root out those who possess child pornography, especially when those individuals work in positions that give them access to children—some of the most vulnerable members of our community." The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information to reach out to Wendy Olsen-Clancy at 866-874-8900 or wendy.olsen@usdoj.gov.
Lanvin has been a math teacher at a public middle school in Manhattan since approximately 2016 and was previously employed by the New York City Department of Education between 2006 and 2013. Allegedly, from September 2021 through December 2024, he maintained child pornography on a Google account under a fake name until Google terminated access upon discovering suspected content on December 20, 2024.
On February 13, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lanvin’s apartment in Manhattan where they reportedly found child pornography on one or more electronic devices.
Lanvin faces two counts of possession involving prepubescent minors and minors under age twelve. These charges carry a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison as determined by Congress; however, sentencing will ultimately be decided by a judge.
Mr. Podolsky acknowledged "the outstanding investigative work" done by several agencies including the New York City Police Department's Special Investigations Unit and Computer Crimes Squad alongside Task Force Officers from his office.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Phillips will lead prosecution efforts within this case handled by their General Crimes Unit. It should be noted that all allegations remain accusations until proven otherwise.