Alleged Ringleader in Pittsfield Drug Gang Arraigned
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Pittsfield Police, the Berkshire County Drug Task Force, and agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrested three people on a range of drug and firearms charges. All three were arraigned Friday morning in Central Berkshire District Court.
Joseph S. Davis, 24, of 132 Lincoln St., Ashley Martin, 21, of the same address and Genese Latini, 26, of Weller Avenue appeared before Judge Frederic Rutberg. Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless handled the arraignments.
"I wanted to demonstrate the seriousness of these arrests," said Capeless on Friday afternoon. "I also thought might helpful to demonstrate to the officers involved and to the public the importance I put on them."
Davis is known by law enforcement as a lead member, if not the leading figure, of the Bloods gang in the area, said Capeless. The arrest is a major step, he said, warning more will be coming. "We don't want any gang activity and we don't want any gangs."
Police recovered an estimated $35,000 in cocaine, heroin and marijuana during the simultaneous raids at the Lincoln Street address, reportedly the headquarters, Pine Street and Weller Avenue.
Martin also had-not guilty pleas to the same charges, although he faces first offenses on counts of possession of marijuana and of heroin with intent to distribute.
Davis is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction; Martin is being held at the jail on $20,000 bail and her bail was revoked on a previous charge of trafficking in cocaine on which she was arraigned on March 30.
Latini had not-guilty pleas entered on her behalf on one single counts of trafficking in cocaine, a drug violation in a drug-free school zone and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Rutberg ordered that she be held at the House of Correction on $10,000 bail on the charges, and without bail for a probation violation.
Davis will be back in court on April 21 for clarification of counsel; Martin on May 26 for a pretrial hearing, and Latini on May 13 for a pretrial hearing.
There have been a number of unsolved shootings (Davis was a victim of one last September) in the city, and a rash of recent violence. While not saying the uptick in violent acts were all caused by gang activity, the district attorney did hope that the arrests will encourage witnesses to step forward.
"Where there's gangs, there's drug dealing and where's there's drug dealing, there's violence," he said. "Police are hampered in their effort in solving these violent incidents because witnesses are reluctant to cooperate or don't want to cooperate."
Capeless declined to provide further details of the ongoing investigation, other than to say local law enforcement will continue to work with federal authorities.
"We just hope that people understand that these investigations take time and they have to be built," he said. "The officers are out on the streets working hard. They deserve the praise."
