Superior Court Briefs: Aug. 2

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On July 31 Trevon Thompson, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on two charges stemming back to an arrest from February 10, 2023. 
 
The sentencing took place in Berkshire Superior Court and was overseen by Judge Agostini. The Defendant was arrested as a part of a greater investigation into drug trafficking in North Adams.  
 
Charges and Sentencing:
  • Possession of Class B with Intent to Distribute - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections suspended sentence for three years with the following conditions:
    • Complete substance abuse evaluation
    • Follow any recommendations from probation
    • Remain drug free
    •  Submit to random screens
  • Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute - 3 years' probation with above conditions
Law enforcement involved in the case included the North Adams Police Department and the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force. Assistant District Attorney Rachael Eramo represented the Commonwealth.
 
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On July 30, Ryan Starbird, 20 years old of Pittsfield, entered an unagreed plea of guilty and was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court by Judge Agostini. 
 
According to a report, the case stems from a 2023 incident at the Berkshire Crossing shopping plaza parking lot. The Defendant and another man had an altercation. The report continued that Starbird was in possession of an illegal firearm.
 
During the altercation, the Defendant's gun discharged, and he sustained an injury to his own hand. The victim sustained an injury to his groin. The Defendant did not have a license to carry a firearm.
 
Charges and Sentencing:
  • Illegal Possession of A Firearm - 2 ½ years House of Corrections 
  • Illegal Possession of A Loaded Firearm - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Assault & Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon - Causing Serious Bodily Injury - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Discharging A Firearm Within 500 Feet of A Building - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Assault And Battery By Discharging A Firearm - 3 years' probation from and after jail
The Commonwealth requested an extended sentence with 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections for the first count, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, and 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections on and after the first count. Defense requested 1 ½ years in the House of Correction followed by probation.
 
Law enforcement and emergency responders included the Pittsfield Police Department; the Dalton Police Department; and Action Ambulance. Both individuals were treated for their wounds at Berkshire Medical Center.
 
Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Dalton Finance Approves Amended Police Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee approved an amended version of the Police Department budget.
 
The amended budget of $1,664,924 is $14,564 less than what was originally requested. This is still an increase of $129,668 increase from this year.
 
The budget is made up of $191,338 in expenses and $1,473,586 in salaries. 
 
The department initially proposed a budget of $1,679,488, a $144,232 or 9.39 percent, increase mainly caused by salary increases.
 
Police Chief Deanna Strout emphasized that the increases within the budget are mostly contractual.  
 
Finance Committee chair William Drosehn said if "we all kind of tightened our belts even further," the budget could be cut by $15,000 or $20,000. 
 
However, he stressed that if more funds are needed, reserve fund transfer requests can be made if the need arises. 
 
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