Williamstown Man Pleads Guilty To Child Sexual Abuse Charges

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, June 17, Tom Nelson, 38 of Williamstown, pled guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to three charges related to child sexual abuse:
  • Posing/Exhibiting a Child in the Nude
  • Posing/Exhibiting a Child in a Sexual Act
  • Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Second Offense
According to a report from the District Attorney's Office, in 2021 the defendant utilized Omegle to make contact with an 11-year-old child. Through the connection on the Omegle, the defendant used predatory tactics to obtain graphic sexual content, on more than one platform, targeting an 11-year-old child. This is the second time the defendant has exhibited such predatory criminal behavior with the first offense occurring in 2018. The child's caregiver alerted law enforcement to the situation after checking the child's device.

The Commonwealth requested 10 years in state prison for the first and second charges of Posing/Exhibiting a Child in the Nude and Posing/Exhibiting a Child in a Sexual Act and five years of probation on and after for the charge of dissemination. The defense requested probation on the first and second charge with a 2.5-year suspended sentence for the dissemination charge.

Judge Flannery sentenced the Defendant to 2 years in the House of Corrections for Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Second Offense, and three years of probation on and after for posting/exhibiting a child in the nude and posing/exhibiting a child in a sexual act. Conditions of probation are to attend counseling.

Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. The Williamstown Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency.

 

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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