Superior Court Briefs: March 9 - March 13

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, March 9.

 

Andre Austin, 28, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute - his second offense - illegal ownership of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for a violent crime or drug offense, and resisting arrest.

 

He was ordered to serve concurrent three and a half to five and a half year sentences at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm with a prior conviction charges. He was given concurrent time at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the others.

 

The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant on Springside Avenue in Pittsfield on January 29, 2014.

 

Single counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and illegal possession of a loaded firearm were dismissed by the state.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, March 10.

 

Robin Houghtling, 20, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

 

He was ordered to serve 18 months of a two and a half year sentence at the Berkshire County House of Correction and placed on two years probation. Houghtling assaulted a 47-year-old man in Pittsfield on February 13, 2014.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, March 11.

 

Matthew Calautti, 29, of Windsor pleaded guilty to single counts of armed assault with intent to rob and assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

 

He was ordered to serve 39 days at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the assault by means of a dangerous weapon and placed on one-year probation on the other charge. The charges stem from an attempt to take money from an employee at the Subway shop on Tyler Street in Pittsfield on January 3, 2014.

 

Jarret Ferriter, 21, of North Adams pleaded guilty to single counts of false report of a crime, and willful and malicious communication of false information to a public safety department. 

 

He was placed on two years probation and ordered to pay $15,493 in restitution on the charges. He is also required to perform 150 hours of community services. 

 

A single count of threatening to use an explosive and causing the disruption of a school was continued without a finding. Ferriter called the North Adams Police Department on October 6, 2014 and reported a bomb threat at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

 

Malik Grandson, 22, of Pittsfield was found guilty of single counts of home invasion and assault and battery. 

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail until sentenced on March 23, 2015. The incident occurred in Pittsfield on May 20, 2013.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, March 12.

 

Scott Kearin, 28, of Lee pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of heroin.

 

He was ordered to serve six months at the Berkshire County House of Correction. The charge stems from the execution of a search warrant at his Franklin Street home on April 29, 2014.

 

Single counts of trafficking in heroin, illegal ownership of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, and conspiracy to violate drug laws were dismissed after a motion to suppress the evidence was allowed by the court.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Friday, March 13.

 

Tareem Jackson, 27, of Troy, N.Y. pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was ordered to serve concurrent two and a half to three years in state prison. The charges stem from the execution of a warrant on Liberty Street in North Adams on March 17, 2014.

 

A single count of trafficking in cocaine was dismissed by the state.