On May 22nd Fred Senter was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in state prison following an April 25th guilty verdict on 25 larceny related charges.
The Honorable Judge Flannery sentenced Senter to 8 to 10 years in state prison for the Larceny Over $250 from a victim over 60 years of age; 4 to 5 years for Larceny over $1,200 to be served concurrent; and 1 year in the House of Corrections for Larceny Under $1,200 to be served concurrent.
The Commonwealth requested 15 to 18 years in state prison: approximately one year for each victim that testified. Defense requested Senter serve 32 months.
Berkshire District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue commended the victims in the case for both speaking in court and providing victim impact statements.
District Attorney Shugrue commented, “Ultimately Senter collected hundreds-of-thousands of dollars out of the pockets of families and small business owners. The Defendant created and continued a pattern of fraud which was sustained over a period of time. Senter’s attempt to financially rob people with no accountability for his actions is unacceptable. Financial fraud is not just emotionally draining but also places real stress on small businesses and individuals.”
In 2023 the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office established an Organized Retail Crime division consisting of an Organized Retail Crime Specialist, James Hall, and dedicated Victim Witness Advocate, Lindsay McCarthy. All financial crimes, including insurance fraud and personal financial fraud, are covered in this special division.
_______________________________________________________
April 25, 2024, Press Release Following the Guilty Verdict:
On Wednesday, April 24th, Fred Senter was found guilty by a jury of his peers in Berkshire Superior Court on charges related to larceny under false pretenses.
Fred Senter was found guilty of the 25 charges identified below:
Charge Counts
Larceny Over $1,200 19 Counts
Larceny Over $250 from a victim over 60 years of age 5 Counts
Larceny under $1,200 1 Count
Fred Senter began operating Northern Stell Buildings and Structures in Lee Massachusetts during 2018. The business specialized in constructing carports and steel structures. Between February 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020, Senter entered a series of contracts to construct steel garages and/or carports that financially victimized individuals, towns, and companies. Senter told the victims he required a 50% deposit prior to beginning the work; however, after Senter received the deposit, the work would almost never begin. (Senter completed a minimal amount of work for the contract held with the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department, a named victim in the case)
The 18 victims in the case included residents of Berkshire County, the greater Massachusetts area, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; a volunteer fire department; and privately owned businesses. In total, the victims lost over $300,000 under false pretenses that with a deposit, work would eventually be completed.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “This was a complex case involving many victims. I am thankful for the jury’s thoughtful deliberations which allowed justice to be served.”
Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano represented the Commonwealth. Tarra Jones-Nutting served as a Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office. The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit were the lead law enforcement agencies and were supported by the Pittsfield Police Department as well as other local departments.