West Stockbridge man jailed for statutory rape

BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASS (NEWS10) — NEWS10 obtained court documents regarding a West Stockbridge man accused of multiple statutory rape encounters with a minor. 32-year-old Frank James Twing, married with children, was arrested for allegedly having sex with that minor while another adult filmed and participated in one of the encounters. 

These allegations translate to five charges: two counts of aggravated statutory rape of a child, two counts of exhibiting or posing a child in a sexual act, and one count of trafficking of a person for sexual servitude.  

The alleged incidents happened between last July and September. The case was brought to police by the victim's mother who searched her child’s phone after becoming uncomfortable with the amount of time the teen was spending at Twing’s home. She searched the victim’s phone and found inappropriate texts which she brought to the police.

A Massachusetts trooper forensically examined the phone finding multiple pictures and videos in which the suspect and victim’s faces are clearly identifiable and having sex. We reached out to Mr. Twing’s legal council who released a statement saying:

"My client maintains his innocence. Because it is very early in the case and investigation, it would be premature for us to comment further" said Joanna Arkema of the Committee for Public Counsel Services Public Defender Division.

Regarding the video, which police say clearly identifies Twing, his attorney declined to comment. The defendant is being held on 100,000 bail or $1Million assurity at the Berkshire County Jail. If Twing makes bail he would be under house arrest and have to wear a GPS and stay away from the victim or anyone under 18.