Superior Court Briefs: Aug. 1 - Aug. 3

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Tuesday, August 1.

 

Matthew Minori, 24, of North Adams had not guilty plea entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

He was ordered to be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on May 17, 2017. 

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Wednesday, August 2.

 

Lance Joppich, 45, of North Adams pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery, and a single count of assault with intent to commit rape.

 

He was ordered to serve five to eight years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the rape and assault with intent to commit rape charges. He was given concurrent four to five years on the other charges.

 

Joppich assaulted a 19-year-old girl in North Adams between March 1, 2016 and April 19, 2016.

 

Michael Womack, 38, of Torrington, Conn. pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and single counts of illegal possession of a firearm, intimidation of a witness, and operating under the influence of alcohol - his third offense. 

 

He was ordered to serve concurrent three to four years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on the illegal possession of a firearm and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. He was given concurrent time at the Berkshire County House of Correction on the operating under the influence charge. The intimidation of a witness charge was placed on file.

 

The charges stem from an incident in Lenox on August 10, 2016. Single counts of illegal possession of a loaded firearm, armed career felon, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, using a motor vehicle without authority, and disturbing the peace were dismissed by the state.

 

Cases heard before Judge John Agostini on Thursday, August 3.

 

Damien Greene, 38, 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 released on $7,500 bail. The charge stems from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on May 17, 2017. 

 

Robert Smith, 39, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of leaving the scene of personal injury accident death resulting, misleading a police officer, attempt to burn a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence.

 

He was released on personal recognizance. Smith is accused of being the operator of a motor vehicle that struck and killed 53-year-old Gerald Scott Jr. in Pittsfield on January 19, 2017.