Stockbridge Man Pleads Guilty, Must Register as Sex Offender

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — On Tuesday, May 2 Joseph Smith, 45, of Stockbridge pled guilty to several charges stemming from a 2020 investigation involving photographs of an underage female. 
 
Smith was sentenced to 5 years probation with conditions. The conditions are that he undergo a sex offender evaluation and cooperate with aftercare as recommended; further undergo a mental health evaluation with aftercare as recommended; sign waivers for the Superior Court Probation Department so that they can monitor his progress; have no access to internet and no computers/internet-enabled devices except at a public library or law library as needed to complete his evaluations and/or treatment; and have no unsupervised contact with minors. 
 
Smith is subject to registration as a sex offender.  The victim supported the sentencing in the case.
 
Smith's guilty plea stems from a 2020 investigation into illicit images of a person under 18. The victim in the case had previously been in a relationship with Smith. Years later Smith contacted the victim both sending her illicit pictures that had been taken during the relationship and sharing he had posed them online.  The victim alerted the police.  During a search of Smith's electronic devices, investigators from Stockbridge Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police discovered said images. 
 
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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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