North Adams Man Pleads Guilty to Child Assault

03:32PM / Friday, June 06, 2025Print 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.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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