Child Pornography-Related Charges Filed Against South Windsor Man

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A month-long investigation into an online exchange of explicit pictures with a 15-year-old boy led to the arrest by warrant of a South Windsor man Thursday, according to police.

Drew McFarland, 20, was charged with risk of injury to a child, promoting a minor in an obscene performance, importing child pornography, third-degree illegal possession of child pornography and enticing a minor by computer. He posted a $100,000 surety bond.

The lengthy investigation revealed McFarland had met the boy, who lives in Arizona, online via an instant messaging app called Discord. He used the app to converse with the victim and convince
him to exchange explicit pictures since Nov. 2020, police said.

Investigation determined McFarland admitted to a third party he had engaged in the illegal conduct with a minor. An arrest warrant was obtained, and South Windsor police and members of the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations conducted a search warrant at
McFarland’s home Thursday to retrieve items of evidentiary value, police said.

McFarland is scheduled to appear Sept. 22 in Manchester Superior Court.

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