Massachusetts after-school program instructor ends life after State Police attempt to serve warrant concerning child sexual abuse material

FRAMINGHAM–According to Massachusetts State Police, following tips that came in from an electronic service provider to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit secured a search warrant through Worcester District Court to search the residence of John Buffington, 67, of Princeton, MA, for evidence of child sexual abuse material. Buffington had been working with the Town of Princeton Recreation Department through an after-school program, serving as an instructor for classes in woodworking, primitive skills, and kite-making.

On Thursday evening, members of the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, along with the Massachusetts State Police S.T.O.P. TEAM, the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Task Force, and officers from the Princeton Police Department, attempted to serve the search warrant at Buffington’s home.  As officers announced themselves at the door, Buffington fled into a garage, where he subsequently died by apparent suicide. The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office was notified of the apparent suicide by firearm.  Princeton and Sterling Fire and EMS were dispatched to the scene and pronounced Mr. Buffington deceased.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was notified and will determine the final cause of death.

Upon entering Buffington’s home, law enforcement officers found evidence of child sexual abuse material. Officers additionally located sexually explicit material that involved pictures of at least one child who was known to the suspect.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Buffington previously worked in Lincoln, MA, in an after-school program until 2014.

While the investigation is in its preliminary stages, at this time, there is no apparent evidence that any child Buffington encountered has been harmed.

The Massachusetts State Police, The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office will be working in conjunction with local, state, and federal partners to better understand the scope of Buffington’s activities and to ensure that any parties affected by Buffington in his role as a community member of trust are identified and receive appropriate services.

Any family who has concerns about their child’s interaction with Mr. Buffington in Princeton should contact the Children’s Advocacy Center of Worcester County at 774-317-2132. 

Parents whose children may have had interactions of concern with Mr. Buffington during his time in Lincoln should contact the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center at 781-897-8400.