North Adams Man Sentenced To State Prison On Rape Charges

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UPDATE ON 06132025: On Wednesday, June 11, Austin Miller-Robinson was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in State Prison for the charges of Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force and Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference. 
 
Miller-Robinson was found guilty of these crimes by a jury of his peers on June 4th.
 
District Attorney Shugrue, co-founder of the Kids' Place Child Advocacy Center, stated: "This is an important victory for the children and citizens of Berkshire County. I will always advocate for the strongest possible penalties under the law for anyone who harms our children."
 
District Attorney Shugrue requested the crimes be sentenced to the maximum sentenced and be served consecutively. 
 
"While the sentence is less than my request, and the criminal penalties are to be served concurrently, the 18-to-20-year sentence is substantial. Today is a good day for the children in the Berkshires," he said.
 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Wednesday, June 4 Austin Miller-Robinson, 29 of North Adams, was found guilty of three crimes by a jury of his peers in Berkshire Superior Court. 

 
The Defendant was found guilty of:
  • Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force
  • Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference
Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years. Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years.
 
Austin Miller-Robinson raped a three-year-old child in July 4, 2019. He was 23 years old at the time.
 
"While we are pleased with today's verdict, it brings to light the horrific abuse that exists in the fringes of society. This guilty verdict provides a measure of justice for an innocent child who endured unimaginable harm at the hands of an adult," District Attorney Shugrue said. "It is my hope that today begins the process of closure for the victim's family and an opportunity for healing and moving forward."
 
He continued, "I also want to recognize the immense dedication of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office Child Abuse Unit. The prosecution of child abuse day in and day out is incredibly difficult. Their commitment to bringing justice on behalf of their young victims is admirable work that few can handle."
 
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 Department served as the lead law enforcement agency on the case supported by the Berkshire District Attorney's State Police Detective Unit, Kids' Place, and the multi-disciplinary team led by Emily Zoltan.
 
Sentencing will take place in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday, June 11.
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North Adams School Committee Filling Two Seats

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee is in need of new members to fill two unexpired terms until Jan. 1, 2028.
 
The candidates will be voted on by a joint convention of the School Committee and City Council on Oct. 5. 
 
In the two months since the last School Committee meeting, members Emily Daunis and Cody Chamberlain have resigned. 
 
The committee was expected to review the process at its Tuesday meeting but did not. A timeline provided by Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the committee, states the calls for statements of interest will occur on Monday, Aug. 31, along with a pre-convention meeting notice. 
 
Statements of interest and nominations will be accepted via email to btassone@napsk12.org until 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24; these will be disseminated to committee and City Council members four days later. 
 
Any resident of the city of North Adams who is eligible to vote is eligible to be elected to serve on the School Committee.
 
Daunis was elected in this way to the School Committee in 2020 to fill the unexpired term and elected to a four-year term in her own right the following year and again in 2025. 
 
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