PHS Dean Arrested on Federal Drug Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High School's dean of students has been placed on administrative leave after a federal drug arrest on Wednesday morning.

Lavante Wiggins was one of two city men arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine in Western Massachusetts. Wiggins was arrested at his East Street home.

Superintendent Joseph Curtis promptly sent a communication to staff and parents addressing the arrest.  He said the district was informed by the U.S. Attorney's Office about the arrest of Wiggins and he has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately.

"Please know that we remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students and staff," he wrote. "We have no other information at this time."

Wiggins, 30, and Theodore Warren, also known as "Monty," 42, both of Pittsfield, were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. They were arrested Wednesday morning and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield in the afternoon.

According to the charging documents, Wiggins operated a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of cocaine in and around the Pittsfield area. It is alleged that Warren serves as a runner for Wiggins, who allegedly expressed concern that he was under investigation in August and sent Warren to complete sales and deliver cocaine.

"It is alleged that one of Wiggins' customers amassed a debt of more than $34,000 for cocaine that Wiggins provided on credit. It is further alleged that Wiggins and Warren then went about collecting on that debt while continuing to supply large amounts of cocaine to that customer," a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office reports.

Wiggins had been under investigation since March, according to charging documents. The customer is a co-operating witness who provided investigators with Wiggins' phone number and locations where the alleged criminal activities had occurred, among other detailed information. The witness has open criminal cases and is "hoping to mitigate" their sentence. 

Wiggins, a St. Joseph High School and Endicott College graduate, has worked at PHS since 2021. 

U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge with the FBI's Boston Division made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. Assistance was provided by the Holyoke, Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield, Easthampton and Pittsfield Police Departments; Berkshire, Hampden and Franklin County Sherriff's Offices; Massachusetts State Police; and the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches, chief of the Springfield Branch Unit, is prosecuting the case.  
 

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.