Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Monday, Feb. 22.
Nicholas Konton, 25, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of heroin, three counts of conspiracy to violate drug laws and single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and drug violation in a school zone in relation to incidents in Pittsfield between May 12, 2015 and May 23, 2015.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of drug violation in a school zone, two counts of distribution of heroin, and a single count of conspiracy to violate drugs laws in connection to his arrest in Pittsfield on June 8, 2015.
Konton was ordered to serve two to two and a half years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the drug and conspiracy charges. He was given concurrent two and a half to three years on the school zone charges. In total, he will serve four and a half to five years in state prison.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Christopher Therrien, 27, of North Adams had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of trafficking in heroin.
He was ordered to serve three and a half to four years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charge stems from the execution of a search warrant at his Union Street home on August 18, 2015.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Logan Delisle, 19, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on three counts of rape of a child with force.
He was released on $3,000 bail. Delisle is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Pittsfield on December 12, 2015.
William Kachuk, 51, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of heroin.
He was ordered to pay a $150 fine and a $37 surfine. The charges stem from an incident in Pittsfield on June 8, 2015. A single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws to wit, distribution of heroin was dismissed by the state.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Police on Wednesday morning said no arrest has been made in the Feb. 9 incident that left a resident injured on North Hoosac Road.
Police Chief Kyle Johnson characterized as "total rumor" a report circulating around town that someone has been arrested in connection with the incident, a possible hit-and-run that sent Cheryl J. Leclaire, 54, of White Oaks Road, to Berkshire Medical Center in critical condition.
Asked about another part of the rumor — that a vehicle has been impounded in the case — Johnson again demurred.
"I won’t confirm or deny anything because I don't want to jeopardize the investigation," Johnson said.
Johnson said the police do hope to have information to release to the media as soon as Friday to bring "some closure" to the incident.
"But it’s not worth jeopardizing anything at this point," he said.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Lipton Mart on South Street was robbed Tuesday afternoon.
Police say at 3:50 p.m. the dispatch received a 911 call reporting an armed robbery at 460 South Street and later arrested Lionel Ortiz, 34, of Vincent Thaxter, 37, for the crime. Additional charges may be pending and both suspects are due in Central Berkshire District Court on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Patrol units arrived immediately and members of the detective, drug, and crime scene unit followed. Officers obtained a vehicle description, direction of travel, and partial license plates. Backup units located the suspect vehicle at the intersection of South Street and Gamwell Avenue, just over the bridge from the Lipton Mart.
The motor vehicle was stopped and probable cause was developed for the arrest of the subjects.
Police did not say what, if anything, was taken from the gas station. Nor did police say if a weapon had been found.
The armed robbery comes after nearly a month without one. Between November and January there was a spree of a dozen before two men were arrested for half of the crimes. Since then, the robberies had come to a halt.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Edward O'Bert, 34,of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and single counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery.
He was ordered to serve concurrent four to six year sentences at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the rape and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon charges. He was given concurrent two and a half year sentences on the assault and battery charge.
O'Bert assaulted a 23-year-old woman in Pittsfield on December 1, 2011 and April 16, 2013.
Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Joseph Barnes, 29, of Pittsfield had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute - his second offense.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charge stems from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on Jan. 6.
Jerrod Kendig, 35, of Dalton pleaded guilty to a single count of larceny over $250 in connection with theft from Walmart in North Adams on April 12, 2015 and single counts of breaking and entering in the daytime and larceny over $250 in a break in at the First Congregational Church in North Adams on September 25, 2015.
He was ordered to serve concurrent two and a half years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction.
Richard Smith, 25, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, armed career felon, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, illegal ownership of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a stun gun and possession of heroin.
He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant at his home on January 5, 2016.
Michelle Weed, 38, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
She was ordered to be held at the Hampden County House of Correction on $5,000 bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on Jan. 11.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two men accused of a half dozen armed robberies entered not guilty pleas in court on Thursday.
George Bliss Jr., 30, and Damian Ivas, 40, both of Pittsfield were brought before Judge John Agostini in Berkshire Superior Court. Bliss had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on six counts of armed robbery while masked. Ivas had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on six counts of armed robbery while masked and single counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.
Bliss was ordered to be held on $100,000 bail while Ivas was ordered to be held on $50,000.
The two are accused of robbing the Getty on Elm Street, Dawes Avenue Variety, Peaslee's on Wahconah, Subway on Tyler Street, Angelina's on Elm Street, and Cumberland Farms on Dalton Avenue between December 23, 2015 and January 24, 2016. The six robberies were part of a spree in which there were a dozen in a two months.
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