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Former Headmaster Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges
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David B. Harris, 68, of North Adams was arrested two years ago at his Marion Avenue home. At the time of his arrest, he was the headmaster of Cambridge Montessori School, a private school for children from preschool to ninth grade. He had been head of school at Pine Cobble School in Williamstown for 10 years before leaving in 1999.
Harris pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography, and 18 counts of knowlingly possessing visual material of a child depicted in a sexual conduct.
He disseminated child pornography on Jan. 24, 2010, and was in possession of child pornography when he was arrested on July 18, 2010.
Judge John Agostini ordered that he serve six months of a 2 1/2-year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the single possession charge and was placed on two years probation for the dissemination of child pornography charge, on the condition he undergo counseling, turn in all computers and/or media storage devices, not possess any computer or cell phone that can access the Internet, not possess any pornography, and allow a probation officer to search any computer or media device during the probationary period.
He was given concurrent six-month House of Correction sentences on the 18 counts of possession of visual material of a child depicted in a sexual conduct.
Curran Highway Crash Reduces Traffic To One Lane
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Police on the scene declined to provide information on how many cars were involved or if there were injuries.
However, witnesses on the scene said they saw two people being treated in ambulances and two vehicles were seen with damage, one of which sustained heavy damage to the front end and windshield.
Initial reports stated four vehicles may have been involved. Two additional cars were on the scene but it is unclear if they were directly involved in the crash.
The crash occurred around 4 p.m. in front of the North Adams Plaza. The road was reduced to one lane and reopened around 5 p.m.
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Accident Reduces Route 2 To One Lane In North Adams
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According to responders on the scene, it does not appear that there were injuries and it is uncertain how the crash happened.
A late model Chevrelot Trailblazer was on the sidewalk and had crashed head on into a utility pole.
There is also damage on the side of the vehicle. The other sport utility vehicle, a gray Honda CRV, was moved into a nearby parking lot.
The road is expected to be fully opened soon. Both North Adams Fire and Police responded, as did the North Adams Ambulance Service.
'Suspicious' North Adams Package Held Bonnet, Scarf
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| Main Street in North Adams was closed for about a half-hour on Friday evening after a passer-by reported a 'suspicious' package on the bench inside the new bus shelter. After some consultation, firefighters opened the yellow manila shipping package go find a bonnet and scarf inside. Fire Director Stephen Meranti said emergency services had to take precautions because of the way it was reported. Firefighters and police also responded to a 'suspicious' package last week at Walmart that a shopper had accidently left behind. The main drag was reopened at 6 p.m. |
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North Adams Swears In New Officers, Firefighters
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New Police Officer Joshua Zustra gets a hug from his grandmother, City Councilor Marie Harpin; left, reserve firefighter Tyler Bolte after the ceremony. Below, Bolte, center, takes the oath with Casey Cooke, left, and Brad Sacco. |
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| Clockwise from above left: Officer Brad Vivori is sworn in; Officer Trevor Manning is pinned by the mayor; Zustra; and reserve Police Officers Jonathan Beaudreau, left, and Nicholas Richards. |
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Officers Brad Vivori, Trevor Manning and Joshua Zustra were sworn in separately as permanent police officers after serving in a reserve capacity. They were officially sworn in by the mayor on July 11 but it has become the administration's policy to have new officers take the oath publicly from City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau on community television.
Zustra received not only a handshake from the mayor and a hug from Gomeau, a former neighbor, like his colleagues, but also hug from his proud grandmother, City Councilor Marie Harpin.
Also taking the oath were reserve Officers Jonathan Beaudreau and Nicholas Richards, and reserve firefighters Casey Cook, Brad Sacco and Tyler Bolte. Reserve firefighter Collin Boucher was not in attendance.
"I think this is a great community event and I'm glad we do this and I'm glad to see so many friends, family and supporters," said the mayor, quipping, "cops, people hate to see you coming, firefighters, people love to see you coming." But he, added, "we truly respect, we value what you do ... it's a lot of hard work, a lot of training, a lot of effort, a lot of risk.
"My wish to you is to be happy at your job, but to be safe and stay so."
