Man Sentenced to State Prison After 2022 North Adams Drug Offense

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nichols Melendez, 33 of Springfield, was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court to seven to nine years in state prison.
 
On Monday, Dec. 2 Melendez pleaded guilty to six charges related to drug distribution and illegal firearm possession.
 
According to a report from the District Attorney's Office, On March 15, 2022, the North Adams Police Department executed a search warrant of 64 Charles Street, North Adams. The search was conducted based on previous investigation a suspected large-scale drug distribution involving Melendez. 
 
There were four people in the Charles Street residence during the search including Melendez and Troy Dupras. Dupras pleaded guilty earlier to drug trafficking charges related to the same search. When police entered the residence, they discovered Melendez in a back bedroom. Melendez was found to have an illegal firearm, approximately $11,882 in cash, and large amounts of drugs and drug trafficking paraphernalia. 
 
Evidence recovered from the scene included 92.9 grams of crack cocaine (valued at approximately $9,290), 10,130 bags of heroin (valued at approximately $60,780), around $11,882 in cash, a loaded High Point 9mm firearm, 9mm ammunition, and drug distribution paraphernalia such as digital scales, multiple phones, and plastic baggies.
 
The charges include trafficking in cocaine (7 to 9 years in state prison), trafficking in fentanyl (36–100g, 7 to 9 years in state prison, concurrent), illegal possession of a firearm (2.5 to 5 years in state prison, concurrent), illegal possession of a loaded firearm (2.5 years in state prison, concurrent), armed career felon (7 to 9 years in state prison, concurrent), and improper storage of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun (1.5 years in the House of Corrections, concurrent).

Tags: superior court,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories