State police report they arrested three Pittsfield men early this morning for heroin trafficking after stopping them for speeding in Springfield.
According to police reports, Trooper Daniel Kelly of the Springfield barracks stopped a Subaru Impreza driven by John Meyette, 27, of Brooks Avenue in Pittsfield, for speeding on Route 291 at about 1:25 a.m.
Kelly said he discovered a large quantity of heroin in the vehicle - about 1,000 individual packages with a street value of $10,000 - and a hypodermic needle. He was assisted at the scene by Trooper Jonathan Nickles.
Meyette, Joseph Mathews, 21, of Memorial Drive and Lyle D. Parker, 23, of Scalise Drive, were all charged with trafficking a Class A controlled substance. Meyette was also charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended license and speeding. Police said none of men was properly licensed to the operate the car.
Members of the Berkshire County Drug Task Force executed more than a dozen search warrants this morning in Pittsfield, Richmond and Adams, according to a press release from the DA's office.
Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless said eight people were arrested in the culmination of the first phase of a large-scale, ongoing investigation. He said additional warrants and arrests are expected. According to Capeless, investigators have seized more than 150 grams of cocaine, more than 25 pounds of high-grade marijuana, more than 100 Oxycontin pills, methadone tablets, one .380-caliber handgun and $50,000 in cash.
Arrested in Pittsfield were Richard Carnevale Jr., Shane Whalen, Frank LeClair and David LaPlante; Richard Cargill and Katie Lynn Powers were arrested in Richmond; and Michael King and Tracy Gagne were arrested in Adams. All will be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court in Pittsfield.
"This is a significant drug-dealing ring, and we will continue to work until we have snared every person involved," said Capeless in a statement. "I commend the officers of the Task Force for another job well done, and wish them continued success in bringing this investigation to a just conclusion."
The investigation is being conducted by the task force, including investigators from the state police assigned to the district attorney's office, members of the Pittsfield, Adams, North Adams, Dalton, Lee, Lenox, Williamstown, Lanesborough, Great Barrington and Stockbridge police departments, federal investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and state troopers assigned to the Lee and Cheshire barracks.
Morningside Initiative's Crime Prevention and Public Safety subcommittee will offer Neighborhood Watch updates and presentations from the Pittsfield Police Department on identifying drug and gang activity.
The meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Morningside Community School cafeteria at 100 Burbank St., Pittsfield.
This meeting is for people who live, work or own property in the Morningside Initiative area and who want to participate in neighborhood watches and learn more about making our neighborhoods safer. Presentations will focus on identifying drug and gang activities. All area residents and business members are encouraged to attend.
The Morningside Initiative area includes East street from Park Square, up North Street to Springside ave, to Benedict Road, to Tyler Street Extension, to Woodlawn Avenue, Kellogg Street to Fourth Street around Silver Lake Boulevard, back to East Street and returning to Park Square.
We received this e-mail today from Donna Brown, who's helped the Jernstrom family search for their black cocker spaniel, Jake, for months:
Dear All,
It is with a sad heart that I tell you that Jake still has not been found. The last sighting was on 11/9/09 in Springside Park (Pittsfield) at the pond on the southern end of the park. Without any sightings, it is difficult to continue to coordinate a search effort. Please say a prayer for Jake that he has found peace wherever he may be.
Thank you for all your efforts. Of course, if you do see Jake, please notify us at once. Everyone on this mailing list and the citizens of Pittsfield have been exceptionally supportive of our search effort. Thank you all so much.
Gail, Priscilla and Donna on behalf of Julie and Erik Jernstrom
If you do see Jake, contact Julie at 413-537-5616.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield man was found guilty Thursday afternoon in Berkshire Superior Court on several charges. The jury deliberated for about 15 hours over a three-day period before returning its verdict against 24-year-old Johnny B. Jones of Francis Avenue.
Jones, also known as John B. Jones, was found guilty on two counts of armed assault with intent to rob, two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapons, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.
Judge John Agostini ordered that he be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail pending sentencing on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m.
The incident occurred in the Pittsfield State Forest on May 18, 2007. The victims are two men who are now 22 and 23 years of age.
Jones was found not guilty on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and one count of assault with intent to murder.
The investigation was conducted by state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, which provided this information.
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State police report they arrested three Pittsfield men early this morning for heroin trafficking after stopping them for speeding in Springfield.
Members of the Berkshire County Drug Task Force executed more than a dozen search warrants this morning in Pittsfield, Richmond and Adams, according to a press release from the DA's office.