Ten people are in custody following a child predator sting operation in Berkshire County, including a police officer.
The District Attorney's Office says investigators posed as 14-and-15-year-old girls and communicated with adults who intended to pay them for sex.
Among those arrested was Dominick Boschetto, an officer with the Auburn Police Department.
Boschetto has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation takes place.
“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.”
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
(Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: BERTRAND GUAY / AFP / Getty Images