North Adams Man Sentenced on Illegal Firearm Charge
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— On Feb. 6, Varian Lefebvre, 30 of North Adams, pleaded guilty to three charges in Berkshire Superior Court.
The Defendant pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced on, the following charges:
|
Count |
Charge |
Sentence |
|
1 |
Possession of Ammunition Without a Firearm Identification Card |
2 years in the House of Corrections, concurrent with count 3 |
|
2 |
Possession of a Firearm without and Firearm Identification Card |
2 years in the House of Corrections, concurrent with count 3 |
|
3 |
Armed Career Felon |
3 to 3 years and 1 day in state prison |
The third count, Armed Career Felon, is a sentencing enhancement stemming from a guilty charge in Berkshire Superior Court on Jan. 9, 2018. In this case, Lefebvre was found guilty of Possession to Distribute a Class A Substance.
The Defendant is currently serving a federal sentence of four to seven years in connection with an unrelated case. He is serving the sentence in a federal facility in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth requested and was granted permission to bring Lefebvre back to Berkshire County to face justice on the above charges.
According to a report, Varian Lefebvre and co-conspirator Keth Larrabee were suspected of distributing drugs from a North Adams apartment. (Larrabee pleaded guilty to charges related to this incident on May 11, 2023.) Prior to a search of 122 Brayton Hill Terrace, the North Adams Police Department and the State of Vermont's Bennington Police Department conducted a joint investigation into both men. Law enforcement believed that Lefebvre and Larrabee were conducting a drug distribution operation between the northern part of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and Southern Vermont.
On Sept. 25, 2020, the North Adams Police Department arrived at 122 Brayton Hill Terrace, North Adams to execute a search warrant. Based on an active investigation into the residence, law enforcement had probable cause that an illegal firearm belonging to Lefebvre, a known gang member, was inside the house.
When North Adams police officers knocked on the door, Lefebvre refused to open it and closed window blinds so law enforcement could not see inside. Police officers entered the residence and placed Lefebvre into custody. The Defendant was the only individual in the house at the time of the search. Among the items law enforcement recovered, a shotgun and ammunition were found in Lefebvre's bedroom.
Assistant District Attorney Rachael Eramo represented the Commonwealth. Director of Victim Witness Advocates Jane Kibby-Peirce served on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Lead law enforcement agencies include the North Adams Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police's Forensic Services Division.
