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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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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