Ten Arrested in Berkshire County Child Exploitation Sting

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PITTSFIELD, MASS — Ten have been arrested on charges related to child exploitation following a two-week operation in Berkshire County.

The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force conducted the operation. According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, the operation involved law enforcement officers posing as 14 and 15-year-old girls on various online platforms.

The individuals allegedly communicated with these online personas and traveled to pre-arranged locations within Berkshire County, intending to exchange money for sexual activity with individuals under the age of 16, according to authorities.

"The utilization of grant funding and the dedicated work of our Law Enforcement Task Force allowed us to apprehend those looking to abuse our most vulnerable population, children. I want to especially thank the North Adams Police Department and Chief Bailey for their commitment to this operation," stated District Attorney Shugrue, "I also would like to recognize and thank Governor Healey in awarding grant funds that allowed our office to conduct investigations into human trafficking in our county. Sex trafficking is far more prevalent than most people realize. Through the Governor's support, we are able to devote resources to disrupt and apprehend criminals looking to exploit victims of human trafficking."

The following individuals have been arraigned in either Central Berkshire District Court or Great Barrington District Court:

Sydney Brodrick, 21 of Pittsfield, arraigned on April 1, 2025, faces the following charges:

  • Possession of Obscene Material
  • Distribution of Obscene Material

Brodrick is being held pending evaluation.


Ted Crosby, 56 of Pittsfield, was arraigned on April 7, 2025, and charged with:

  • Sexual Conduct for a Fee
  • Enticing a Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime
  • Pose/Exhibit a Child in a Sexual Act

Bail was set at $5,000.


Roger Prell, 67 of Pittsfield, was arraigned on April 10, 2025, and charged with:

  • Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 18
  • Obscene Matter to a Minor
  • Entice Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime

Prell was released on personal recognizance.


Dana Brookman, 31 of Pittsfield, was arraigned on April 14, 2025, and charged with:

  • Entice Child Under 16
  • Obscene Matter to a Minor
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime

Bail was set at $7,000.


Eduardo/Kevin Miranda Hernandez was arraigned on April 14, 2025, and charged with:

  • Enticement of a Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime
  • Procure Liquor for a Person Under 21

Bail was set at $5,000. Hernandez also has an active Connecticut warrant for strangulation.


Jonathan Kornbluth, 45 of Housatonic, was arraigned on April 14, 2025, and charged with:

  • Entice Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime
  • Drug Possession Class B

Bail was set at $5,000.


Forhad Chaudhury, 40 of Ronkonkoma, NY, was arraigned on April 14, 2025, and charged with:

  • Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 18
  • Entice Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime

Bail was set at $15,000.


Jean Arce, 39 of Westfield, was arraigned on April 14, 2025, and charged with:

  • Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 18
  • Entice Child Under 16
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime

Bail was set at $5,000.


Stevenson Clercidor had their case heard on April 15, 2025.


Dominick Boschetto, 31 of Brookfield, was arraigned on April 15, 2025, and charged with:

  • Sexual Conduct for a Fee
  • Enticement for Sex with a Child Under 16

Bail was set at $5,000.

 


Tags: district attorney,   stings,   

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State Orders Release of Pittsfield High Investigation Report

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools have been ordered to release non-exempt parts of the PHS investigation report by May 8 after a community advocate filed a public records request.

"Pittsfield residents deserve transparency when it comes to the actions of public officials within taxpayer-funded institutions," petitioner and Pittsfield resident Ciara Batory said in a press release on Monday.

 "The community has a right to understand how serious issues are investigated and addressed. This decision is a win for every parent, student, and resident who believes in open, honest governance."

Batory has children in the school system, she said, "although they are not yet in high school, I am deeply invested in the future of our entire school community." 

On April 1, Batory formally requested a copy of the investigative report into alleged wrongdoing by two administrators who have since been cleared by an outside investigation.

School officials initially promised complete transparency in the process but have since cited legality as a hurdle for releasing the report on "unsubstantiated" claims. Chair William Cameron said via email on Monday that the School Committee will discuss further action in executive session during Wednesday's regular meeting.

PPS initially denied Batory's public records request, and following an appeal to the secretary of the commonwealth's Public Records Division, Supervisor of Records Manza Arthur ruled on April 24 that the district failed to justify withholding the report in full and ordered that any non-exempt portions of the report be provided.

This ruling also suggests that the public interest in transparency and accountability may outweigh individual privacy concerns.

Batory provided screenshots of the ruling sent to Anne Marie Carpenter, PPS director of human resources, diversity, and inclusion.

"The School is ordered to provide Ms. Batory with a response to her request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days," it reads.

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