Man Sentenced to State Prison After 2022 North Adams Drug Offense

04:05PM / Wednesday, December 11, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nichols Melendez, 33 of Springfield, was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court to seven to nine years in state prison.

On Monday, Dec. 2 Melendez pleaded guilty to six charges related to drug distribution and illegal firearm possession.

According to a report from the District Attorney's Office, On March 15, 2022, the North Adams Police Department executed a search warrant of 64 Charles Street, North Adams. The search was conducted based on previous investigation a suspected large-scale drug distribution involving Melendez.

There were four people in the Charles Street residence during the search including Melendez and Troy Dupras. Dupras pleaded guilty earlier to drug trafficking charges related to the same search. When police entered the residence, they discovered Melendez in a back bedroom. Melendez was found to have an illegal firearm, approximately $11,882 in cash, and large amounts of drugs and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Evidence recovered from the scene included 92.9 grams of crack cocaine (valued at approximately $9,290), 10,130 bags of heroin (valued at approximately $60,780), around $11,882 in cash, a loaded High Point 9mm firearm, 9mm ammunition, and drug distribution paraphernalia such as digital scales, multiple phones, and plastic baggies.

The charges include trafficking in cocaine (7 to 9 years in state prison), trafficking in fentanyl (36–100g, 7 to 9 years in state prison, concurrent), illegal possession of a firearm (2.5 to 5 years in state prison, concurrent), illegal possession of a loaded firearm (2.5 years in state prison, concurrent), armed career felon (7 to 9 years in state prison, concurrent), and improper storage of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun (1.5 years in the House of Corrections, concurrent).

Tags: superior court,

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ServiceNet Hopes to Open Pittsfield Warming Center in Nov.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A warming center is again planned in the First United Methodist Church for the cold months.

During last week's Homelessness Advisory Committee meeting, Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported that they hope to begin operating the nighttime center in mid-November.

It would operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the church, which abuts The Pearl shelter. Forbush said the warming center would be the same program as in the past.

"Again it's a warming center, so there's no cots or beds, but it is certainly a place to come in, and we'll have a hot coffee or cocoa ready for folks," she explained.

"It will be a place to be inside and warm."

This year, ServiceNet hopes to secure full funding from the state so the warming center can open on Sundays at 5 p.m. In years past, they found that Sunday is the most challenging day for unhoused individuals because many community spaces aren't open.

The First Housing Resource Center, managed by Hearthway, opened earlier this year as a low-barrier option for people to rest and access amenities. It is open seven days a week, and Forbush said if people could come to the warming center on Sundays at 5, there would be a fuller day of coverage.

"It does still leave a little gap for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as spaces like the library close at five, but we know that Sundays were something that people were looking for," she said.

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