District of Massachusetts | Former Massachusetts Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Murder of Young Woman

BOSTON – A former Stoughton, Mass. police officer has been charged in federal courtroom in Boston with allegedly murdering a younger girl to stop her from disclosing details about his longstanding sexual exploitation of her whereas he was on obligation, starting when she was a minor.

Matthew Farwell, 38, of North Easton, Mass., has been indicted on one depend of killing a witness or sufferer. Farwell was arrested this morning and can make an preliminary look in federal courtroom in Boston at 2:30 p.m. at this time.

In accordance with the indictment, on or about Feb. 1, 2021, Farwell allegedly killed Sandra Birchmore by strangulation. It’s alleged that Farwell staged her physique and house to make it seem as if Birchmore had dedicated suicide. The indictment alleges that Farwell killed Birchmore with the intent to stop legislation enforcement from studying about Farwell’s fee or potential fee of federal offenses. 

In accordance with courtroom paperwork, Farwell was a sworn officer of the Stoughton Police Division starting on or about March 27, 2012, till on or about April 1, 2022. In his capability as a police officer, Farwell served as an teacher for the Stoughton Police Division’s Explorer’s Program, which is a vocational training program designed for youth to find out about careers in legislation enforcement. Sandra Birchmore joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010, when she was 12 years outdated. Farwell allegedly used his authority and entry to groom, sexually exploit and finally sexually abuse Birchmore when she was 15 years outdated and continued to have intercourse together with her when she turned an grownup. 

On a number of events, Farwell allegedly engaged in intercourse acts with Birchmore whereas on obligation as a Stoughton police officer. To hide this exercise, it’s alleged that Farwell falsely represented that he had labored sure hours, when the truth is he was not working however participating in intercourse acts with the then-minor sufferer. Farwell’s sexual contact with Birchmore continued till her dying on Feb. 1, 2021. 

In December 2020, Birchmore realized that she was pregnant. In accordance with courtroom paperwork, she was excited concerning the being pregnant: scheduling docs’ appointments, buying gadgets for childcare and telling family members how blissful she was to turn out to be a mom. Quickly after she realized she was pregnant, Birchmore advised Farwell that he was the daddy of the kid and that she anticipated him to be concerned, at the least partly, within the youngster’s life. Birchmore disclosed to family members that Farwell allegedly turned violent together with her once they mentioned the being pregnant and his position within the youngster’s life. At one level whereas she was pregnant, Farwell allegedly held Birchmore in a headlock and advised her that he wished she have been lifeless. 

On or about Jan. 20, 2021, Birchmore’s pal referred to as the Stoughton Police Division and referenced Farwell and Birchmore’s sexual relationship. Upon studying this, Farwell allegedly then despatched Birchmore indignant textual content messages and, a number of days later – roughly one week previous to Birchmore’s dying – Farwell visited Birchmore at her house in Canton and requested her if she may give him a spare house key and hold it a secret. It’s additional alleged that one week previous to her dying, Farwell visited Birchmore’s house and commenced trying via her closets and toilet, conduct which made her uncomfortable.  The courtroom paperwork allege that, on Feb. 1, 2021, dealing with perceived imminent disclosure of his legal conduct, Farwell murdered Birchmore to silence her. 

In accordance with courtroom paperwork, whereas Birchmore’s dying was initially dominated a suicide, the federal investigation probed outdated proof and revealed important new proof resulting in the cost in opposition to Farwell.

The cost of killing a witness or sufferer carries a compulsory sentence of dying or life in jail. Sentences are imposed by a federal district courtroom choose based mostly upon the U.S. Sentencing Tips and statutes which govern the willpower of a sentence in a legal case.

Performing United States Lawyer Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Particular Agent in Cost of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement at this time. The Massachusetts Lawyer Common’s Workplace, Massachusetts State Police, Stoughton Police Division and Norfolk District Lawyer’s Workplace offered help within the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Torey B. Cummings and Brian A. Fogerty of the workplace’s Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit are prosecuting the case.
        
The small print contained within the charging paperwork are allegations. The defendant is presumed harmless until and till confirmed responsible past an affordable doubt in a courtroom of legislation.