Berkshire County- The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force conducted a two week-long operation aimed at apprehending child predators. The investigation was partially funded by the Human Trafficking Enforcement grant awarded to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.
The operation was established to apprehend individuals engaging in criminal activities connected to human trafficking crimes. As part of the operation, law enforcement officers posed as 14 and 15-year-old females on various online platforms. The defendants had communicated with individuals whom they believed to be 14 and 15-year-old females, and traveled to pre-arranged location in the Berkshires with the intent to pay money in exchange for sex with individuals under the age of 16.
“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.”
To date, ten individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the operation. The Defendants were arraigned in either Central Berkshire District Court or Great Barrington District Court.