Michael Ferro, Child Exploitation, Connecticut 2024

35-Year-Old Avon Resident Arrested for Horrific Child Exploitation Offenses

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MICHAEL FERRO, 35, of Avon, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with multiple child exploitation offenses.

Ferro, whose crimes are a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the online world, surrendered to law enforcement yesterday. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.

According to the complaint, on August 18, 2021, Ferro began chatting in a Kik group with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a father of a 12-year-old girl. After Ferro determined that the OCE was engaging in sexual activity with his “daughter,” he sent the OCE a “live photo” depicting the genitals of a child. Ferro then stated that he had more pictures to share, and expressed an interest in meeting the OCE’s daughter to engage in sexual activity.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. “Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

The complaint charges Ferro with sexual exploitation of children, attempted receipt of child pornography, and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. These charges carry significant prison time, with mandatory minimum terms ranging from 5 to 30 years and maximum terms ranging from 10 to life.

“This prosecution is part of the U.S. government’s effort to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation,” Boyle said. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Avon Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

For those who may be affected by these crimes, there are resources available. The U.S. government’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative aims to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

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