North Adams Man Pleads Guilty to Child Assault

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, June 5, Jesriel Morales, 37 of North Adams, pleaded guilty to five charges in Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
The charges are:  
  • 3 counts of Aggravated Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon on a Child
  • 2 counts of Assault and Battery
The incident occurred in 2022. The Defendant assaulted a six-year-old child: slamming the child into a window and wall, hitting them with a belt, slapping them; and then forcing them to kneel on dried rice.
 
The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 3 to 5 years. The defense sought probation or a suspended sentence. Judge Hodge sentenced the Defendant to 2 ½ years in the Berkshire House of Corrections for the two counts of Aggravated Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon on a Child and two years of probation on and after for the two counts of Assault and Battery. The Judge also placed conditions on Morales including no contact with the victim and an order to participate in the Fatherhood program.
 
"I am pleased with the guilty plea," District Attorney Shugrue said. "Jesriel Morales preyed on the most innocent member of society. Today my thoughts are with the very young victim. I hope this conclusion provides them (singular) some peace and feeling of safety and security.""
 
Chief of the Child Abuse Unit, Assistant District Attorney Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. North Adams Police served as the lead law enforcement agency.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories