Connecticut Man Arraigned on Weapon, Drug Charges
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — On Monday, April 3 Jake Pelloth, age 36 of Ansonia, Conn,was arraigned in Southern Berkshire District Court on 3 counts of carrying a firearm without a license, possessing a firearm in felony, 2 counts improper storage of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a class-B drug, trafficking in more than 36 grams, less than 100 grams heroin and several civil motor vehicle infractions.
Pelloth is currently being held at the Berkshire County House of Corrections on $50,000 bail with the following conditions: possess no dangerous weapon; not have any drugs or alcohol; receive treatment for drug dependence from Connections in Greenfield; provide signed releases; and have GPS monitoring.
The arraignment stemmed from a traffic stop on Rt. 57 in New Marlborough on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. The vehicle was driven by Pelloth and contained two passengers.
According to a statemnt from the District Attorney's office, during the traffic stop, the responding officer (of the New Marlborough Police Department) was speaking with Pelloth at the driver side window. During the discussion, the officer saw a revolver (a loaded .32 magnum) between the passenger's seat and center console. The officer told the front seat passenger to exit the vehicle. Pelloth, who remained in the car, was asked if there were any other weapons to which he responded no. The officer than asked Pelloth to exit the vehicle at which point Pelloth reported that he had a gun on his person (loaded 9mm CZ).
Pelloth was handcuffed. The officer retrieved the gun and 2 magazines from Pelloth's person on a holster. The officer asked if there were anymore weapons in the car to which Pelloth responded no. Following Pelloth's arrest the officer removed a bag from the center consul.
The bag contained a handgun Sig Sauer .45 caliber handgun, plastic bags containing heroin and fentanyl, a vacuumed sealed marijuana package and four pill bottles with one in Pelloth's name. The pill bottles included one bottle of Adderall containing 4 pills (Pelloth's name); one bottle with 60 mg. OxyContin containing 24 pills; on bottle of 40mg OxyContin containing 53 pills; and one bottle of 20mg. Oxycodone containing 141 pills. Six 9mm bullets were found loose in the car along with other drug paraphernalia. Pelloth was transported to the Sheffield Police Station and was booked by New Marlborough Police without incident. Bail was set at $2,040 and was posted the same day.
An arraignment was set for Southern Berkshire District Court to be held on Feb. 16, 2023. On Feb. 16 Pelloth failed to appear and a warrant was placed for his arrest. On March 2, 2023 the Ansonia Police Department in Connecticut with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police took Pelloth into custody on a Fugitive from Justice charge held on $250,000 bond. Pelloth was transported back to Massachusetts by the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department and was arraigned at Southern Berkshire District Court on Monday, April 3, 2023.
Assistant District Attorney Cerbo asked that Pelloth be held as a danger pursuant to ch. 276 sec.58A or in the alternative, $100,000 cash bail. Judge Cafaro determined that although she found Pelloth dangerous, less restrictive conditions for release could be set.
