Roy “Trey” Farmer, a Princeton graduate who was heavily involved in the school’s organizations, including leading its queer alumni club, was arrested on a child porn possession charge. The 53-year-old was taken into custody after a tip was received that a Mercer County resident uploaded an item depicting child sexual abuse. Farmer’s condo was searched and multiple pieces of possible evidence were seized by law enforcement. Farmer had become the new president of the Queer Princeton Alumni a few months prior to his arrest and had been involved in various other groups such as the Princeton University Glee Club Foundation and Princeton Internships in Civic Service.
In an Alumni Spotlight interview, Farmer discussed the positive impact of bringing Princetonians together, emphasizing that these interactions were beyond traditional networking and were based on connecting interesting people involved in a variety of societal activities. Farmer, who also earned master’s degrees from Yale and Harvard, previously worked in the telecom industry before moving to private equity and owning art festivals around the world. Despite his involvement in various organizations affiliated with Princeton, he was a volunteer and not an employee of the school.
Prosecutors filed a motion to keep Farmer in detention until his trial, with a hearing on the matter delayed until the following week. The arrest of Farmer sent shockwaves through the Princeton community, especially given his prominent role in leading the queer alumni club. This incident raised concerns about the individuals occupying leadership positions within various organizations, prompting a review of procedures for selecting and vetting candidates. Farmer’s arrest also raised questions about his past involvement in different groups and the potential impact on those organizations.
The Princeton University Glee Club Foundation, which Farmer had previously led as president, expressed shock and disappointment at the allegations against him. The organization, along with other groups Farmer had been a part of, faced scrutiny in the aftermath of his arrest. The investigation into Farmer’s possession of child porn material highlighted the importance of conducting thorough background checks and monitoring the activities of individuals in leadership roles. The Princeton community grappled with the implications of Farmer’s arrest and the need to address any existing gaps in oversight and accountability within its alumni organizations.
The case brought attention to the issue of child sexual abuse material and the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts. Authorities emphasized the severity of the charges against Farmer and the importance of holding individuals accountable for such criminal behavior. The Princeton community rallied together to address the situation and support any victims impacted by the possession and distribution of child porn material. This incident served as a wake-up call for educational institutions and alumni groups to reinforce their commitment to safeguarding the well-being of their members and ensuring a safe environment for all individuals involved in their programs.
