A former Massachusetts police officer has been charged with the murder of a young woman he had been exploiting sexually.
Matthew Farwell, 38, of North Easton, Mass., was arrested on February 1, 2021 and charged with killing a witness or victim. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. today.
According to the indictment, Farwell allegedly killed Sandra Birchmore by strangulation and staged her body and apartment to make it appear as if she had committed suicide.
It is alleged that Farwell killed Birchmore with the intent to prevent law enforcement from learning about his commission or possible commission of federal offenses.
Farwell was a sworn officer of the Stoughton Police Department beginning on March 27, 2012 and serving as an instructor for the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorer’s Program, a vocational education program designed for youth to learn about careers in law enforcement.
Birchmore joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010, when she was 12 years old. Farwell allegedly used his authority and access to groom, sexually exploit and ultimately sexually abuse Birchmore when she was 15 years old and continued to have sex with her when she became an adult.
The charge of killing a witness or victim carries a mandatory sentence of death or life in prison.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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