North Adams Man Sentenced to Probation in Jan. 6 Insurrection

03:32PM / Tuesday, April 05, 2022Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local man charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has been sentenced to three years of probation for trespassing.

Brian McCreary, 33, was captured on film several times inside the Capitol next to the so-called "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Chansley, who was sentenced last year to 41 months in prison.

McCreary was arrested a year ago by agents from the FBI's Boston bureau. He was charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, trespassing, disorderly conduct on the grounds and in the building, and demonstrating within the building.

Last October, he pleaded guilty to "entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds" in a plea deal.

According to court documents, McCreary had attended the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., and walked to the Capitol with a crowd intent on stopping the counting of elector ballots for the 2021 presidential election. He entered a door that had been kicked open and walked up to the second floor of the Senate side. He was twice told to exit the building by law enforcement before leaving but then re-entered through a separate door that also been kicked open. He finally exited after hearing a gunshot and drove home.

The next day, he contacted the FBI through its tip line and provided footage he had taken inside and outside the Capitol and later cooperated agents. According to the court filing he signed, McCreary told the FBI that he had attended the rally because he was frustrated with the results of the presidential election and that an audit had not been performed to "address allegations of mass voter fraud."

There has been no evidence of any mass voter fraud.

On April 1, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation, including 42 days of intermittent incarceration and two months of home detention. He also received a fine of $2,500 and is required to pay $500 in restitution toward the $1.5 million in damage done the Capitol.

The cases of two Pittsfield men, Troy Sargent and David Lester Ross, who also attended the rally, have not yet been resolved.

Sargent has a number of trespassing and disorderly charges, as well as assaulting federal officers and engaging in physical violence on the Capitol grounds. Ross was charged in D.C. Superior Court for trespassing and has a status hearing on May 20.

Tags: trespass,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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