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Pittsfield Man Charged With Firearms Violations

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city teen was arrested early Friday on firearms charges after dispatchers received multiple reports of shots fired in the area of Francis and Danforth avenues.

Pittsfield Police patrol officers, detectives, and anti-crime units responded to the area and encountered two individuals, one of whom was found to be in possession of a handgun.

Jason Sefton, 18, was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card. He was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court early Friday afternoon.

No injuries were reported, and there is no known threat to the safety of the general public as a result of this incident.

Detectives are investigating reports that a vehicle, believed to be involved in the incident, fled the area prior to the arrival of Officers. A full investigation is being conducted by the Pittsfield Police Detective Bureau.

Anyone who may have witnessed, or who may have information about this incident, is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Department Detective Bureau at 413-448- 9705. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau, the Drug Tips hotline at 413-448-9708, or by texting PITTIP plus your message to TIP411 (847411).

     

Superior Court Briefs: May 22 - May 25

Staff Reports
Cases heard before Judge Edward McDonough on Monday, May 22.
 
Joshua Stimpson, 30, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute -his second offense - and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
 
He was ordered to serve concurrent three and a half to four years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. 
 
The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in North Adams on June 27, 2016.
 
Cases heard before Judge Edward McDonough on Tuesday, May 23.
 
Francisco Reyes, 37, of Pittsfield was found guilty on three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, and two counts of rape of a child with force.
 
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail until sentencing. On Thursday, Reyes was sentenced to 10 to 12 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the rape of a child charges and given concurrent nine to 10 years in state prison on the others.
 
Reyes sexually assaulted a girl now 15 years of age in Pittsfield between November 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015.
 
Cases heard before Judge Edward McDonough on Thursday, May 25.
 
Courtney Tatro, 22, of Clarksburg pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
 
Tatro was ordered to serve one year at the Hampden County House of Correction Chicopee Woman's Facility on the possession of heroin charge and given a one-year suspended sentence and placed on probation on the conspiracy charge.
 
The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in North Adams on June 27, 2016.
     

Pittsfield Police Asking For Info About Car Crash On Friday Night

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are asking for any information regarding a crash on Friday which left one man with life-threatening injuries.
 
Police say at just before midnight Friday night Matthew King, 35 of Wilson Street, was traveling in a Hyundai south on Wahconah Street when he veered into the northbound lane and collided with Ford van operated by Mitchell Messana, 25, of Richmond.
 
Both parties were taken to Berkshire Medical Center, with King being treated for life-threatening injuries and Messana for minor injuries. 
 
Police are investigating the circumstances around the crash and are asking anyone who may have witnessed it or have information relating to it to contact Officer David Hallas at 448-9700 extension 379.
     

Searchers Recover Body of Missing Pittsfield Man in State Forest

LENOX, Mass. — Investigators do not suspect foul play in the death of a missing Pittsfield man whose body was discovered Wednesday afternoon in October Mountain State Forest. 
 
The body of 33-year-old Matthew J. Gottung was found about 3 p.m. Wednesday approximately 50 yards off Switchback Trail. The location of the body was not far from where Gottung's vehicle was discovered Monday. 
 
Those involved in the search included members of the Lee and Lenox Police and Fire departments, Berkshire Mountain Search & Rescue, state environmental police, Berkshire County sheriff's office, state police from the Lee barracks and assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office.
     

Home Damaged, Pets Lost in North Adams Fire

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An early morning fire severely damaged a Greylock Avenue home on Sunday. No one was injured but two pets were lost. 

 
Fire Director Stephen Meranti said the fire began on small exterior porch on the south side of the single-family home. 
 
"It extended up the outside and it entered a window on the second floor and it entered the attic, so the attic was a little difficult," he said. "The fire gets between the slate and board."
 
The fire was called in shortly after midnight by a neighbor, who also alerted the homeowners. The house's fire alarms went off as well, said Meranti.
 
Police Officer Anthony Beverly, who responded within minutes, said he could see the fire before he took the corner onto Greylock and that the smoke was so heavy he had trouble seeing his way around the outside of the house.
 
"The south side of the building was fully on fire," he said. 'The flames were roiling up the side. They knocked it down pretty quick. They did a good job."
 
Fire Lt. John Paciorek called for the oncoming shift en route to the scene after hearing Beverly's description and put out an all call for all shifts to come in when he got to the scene. 
 
Clarksburg Fire Company sent a truck to fill the airpacks and Adams Fire Department was covering the North Adams station. North Adams Ambulance Service set up a rehab tent for firefighters to get out the rain. 
 
Meranti said the occupants were able to get out of the house but not their two cats. 
 
"They lost the two cats in there, they couldn't revive them," he said.
 
The incident is still under investigation but is not considered suspicious. 
 

     
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