FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY AUGUST 10TH 2026
MILFORD – On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Milford Police Department, in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, conducted an investigation into the alleged production and possession of child sexual abuse material in Milford.
The investigation intensified after a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provided information that led investigators to believe that images allegedly possessed by the suspect depicted the recent sexual abuse of a child.
At approximately 9:52 p.m., Milford Police detectives located the suspect, Manuel Dafonte, 37, of Milford, operating a white Nissan Frontier on Medway Road. Detectives subsequently conducted a motor vehicle stop at the Mobil gas station on Medway Road.
At approximately the same time, members of the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team, Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, and Milford Police Patrol Division executed a search warrant at Dafonte’s residence on Taft Street in Milford.
“I’d like to thank the Massachusetts State Police for their collaboration on this arrest.” Said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. “Crimes against children are among the most heinous offenses we encounter. To know that this individual was previously charged with possession of child pornography and is now accused of similar conduct involving the exploitation of a child is deeply disturbing.”
As a result of the investigation and execution of the search warrant, Manuel Dafonte was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY – SECOND OFFENSE
INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON A CHILD UNDER 14
POSING/EXHIBITING A CHILD IN A NUDE OR LASCIVIOUS POSE
PHOTOGRAPHING THE SEXUAL OR INTIMATE PARTS OF A CHILD
CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.