Superior Court Briefs: March 21

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Earehart Arraigned on 2 Counts of Rape
 
On March 18 James Earehart, age 55 of Indiana, was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
The Defendant was arraigned on two counts of Rape stemming from a June 16, 2022, offense.The alleged rape occurred at a camp located at 53 Brookside Road, Great Barrington. 
 
According to the district attorney's office, Earehart was employed by Membrane Concepts and was deployed to the camp to work on the pool at the time of the alleged assault.The victim, who was an employee of the camp at the time of the assault, stated they (singular to protect the victim's identity) were returning to a building at the camp when they were approached by Earhart. Shortly after being approached, the victim stated they were sexually assaulted. The alleged assault took place in the evening hours. 
 
The Great Barrington Police Department is the lead law enforcement agency on the case. 
 
The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office executed an extradition order from Indiana to return the Defendant to Massachusetts to face the two rape charges. 
 
The Defendant is being held on $50,000 cash bail without prejudice. The case is schedule to next appear in Berkshire Superior Court on March 31st for an appearance of counsel.  
 
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Frank Twing Sr. Sentenced to 25 Years in Albany Federal Court for Berkshire County Related Crimes
 
On October 31, 2024, Frank Twing Sr. of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts pled guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child involving a then 15-year-old victim and one count of travel with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct involving an approximately 12-year-old victim. 
 
On March 18, 2025, Frank Twing Sr. was sentenced to the above-mentioned crimes in Albany Federal Court to 25 years in Federal Prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release.
 
District Attorney Shugrue stated, "I commend the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to my Office for their dedicated investigation into Frank Twing's crimes. Their work was critical to the US Attorney's Office successful outcome in this case."
 
These charges come after an investigation occurred into Frank Twing, and his wife, Haley Twing in January of 2024 by the Massachusetts State Police – Berkshire Detective Unit. As a result of this investigation, Frank Twing, and a second Defendant, Haley Twing, were arrested by the Massachusetts State Police. Frank Twing was charged in Massachusetts with 2 counts of aggravated statutory rape, 2 counts of posing a child for sexual photos, and 1 count of trafficking a person for sexual servitude. Haley Twing has been charged in Massachusetts with 4 counts of posing a child for sexual photos, 2 counts of statutory rape, and 1 count of possession of child pornography.
 
This case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police – Berkshire Detective Unit, New York State Police, and the FBI's Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
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Pittsfield Council Reviews Public Safety Budget, Keeps SpotShotter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On the fourth day of budget deliberations, the City Council preliminarily approved public safety and public service budgets. 

See the first two days of budget review here; and the third day here.

Councilors deliberated the Pittsfield Police Department's $16,439,421 spending plan for more than 90 minutes. Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren unsuccessfully motioned to cut $220,000 for ShotSpotter services. 

He said the acoustic gunshot detection technology is not well used throughout the country, citing other communities that have opted out or are exploring it. 

Pittsfield has two more years on its contract; while councilors voted down the budget reduction several were willing to explore the impact data and see if those funds could be used elsewhere. 

Police Chief Marc Maddalena reported that there has been a significant decrease in shots fired calls, and attributed it to the surveillance technology assisting enforcement. He said it also comes in faster than 911 calls. 

"If people know that just by that noise alone that we're responding within seconds, that's preventing them from utilizing that weapon," he said. 

"So that in of itself is saving lives." 

It has an about 20 percent accuracy rate, and police respond to every activation. 

On Sunday, at least two homes in the area of Memorial Drive and Doyle Drive were struck by gunfire and investigators located 17 shell casings on scene. This was brought up during conversation; it was reported that there were 13 impulses on ShotSpotter during the incident. 

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