On Monday, June 17th, Tom Nelson (10/20/85: Williamstown) pled guilty in Berkshire Superior Court to three charges related to child sexual abuse:
• Posing/Exhibiting a Child in the Nude
• Posing/Exhibiting a Child in a Sexual Act
• Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Second Offense
In 2021 the Defendant utilized Omegle* to make contact with an 11-year-old child. Through the connection on the Omegle, the Defendant used predatory tactics to obtain graphic sexual content, on more than one platform, targeting an 11-year-old child. This is the second time the Defendant has exhibited such predatory criminal behavior with the first offense occurring in 2018. The child’s caregiver alerted law enforcement to the situation after checking the child’s technology device.
The Commonwealth requested 10 years in state prison for the first and second charges of Posing/Exhibiting a Child in the Nude and Posing/Exhibiting a Child in a Sexual Act and five years of probation on and after for the charge of dissemination. The Defense requested probation on the first and second charge with a 2.5-year suspended sentence for the dissemination charge.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “My Office requested 10 years in state prison because the Defendant used specific, predatory tactics to obtain graphic sexual content from an 11-year old along with having a proven record of prior child sexual abuse. With just two years between his first assault and second, it is clear that there is a pattern of targeted behavior. Children are among our most vulnerable population, and we must do everything in our power to protect them.”
Judge Flannery sentenced the Defendant to 2 years in the House of Corrections for Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Second Offense, and three years of probation on and after for posting/exhibiting a child in the nude and posing/exhibiting a child in a sexual act. Conditions of probation are to attend counseling.
District Attorney Shugrue added, “Cases like this highlight the extreme risk that children face on apps and websites. Child predators take every opportunity on every platform to attack and sexually abuse and exploit children. We must protect our children. In today’s society a major piece of that protection is monitoring phone, tablet, and online technology usage.”
He added, “Situations of online child abuse happen right here in Berkshire County. This is why my office provides proactive online and technology education to schools, caregivers, and children. Proactively teaching children about online safety is a critical component to keeping children safe.”
Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. The Williamstown Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency.
*Omegle was shut down in late 2023. While running, law enforcement found Omegle to be a haven for child predators to target and abuse children. For more on Omegle, please see the following article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67364634