PHS Dean Arrested on Federal Drug ChargesStaff Reports, iBerkshires
03:46PM / Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | |
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High School's dean of students has been placed on administrative leave after a federal drug arrest on Wednesday morning.
Lavante Wiggins was one of two city men arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine in Western Massachusetts. Wiggins was arrested at his East Street home.
Superintendent Joseph Curtis promptly sent a communication to staff and parents addressing the arrest. He said the district was informed by the U.S. Attorney's Office about the arrest of Wiggins and he has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately.
"Please know that we remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students and staff," he wrote. "We have no other information at this time."
Wiggins, 30, and Theodore Warren, also known as "Monty," 42, both of Pittsfield, were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. They were arrested Wednesday morning and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield in the afternoon.
According to the charging documents, Wiggins operated a drug-trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of cocaine in and around the Pittsfield area. It is alleged that Warren serves as a runner for Wiggins, who allegedly expressed concern that he was under investigation in August and sent Warren to complete sales and deliver cocaine.
"It is alleged that one of Wiggins' customers amassed a debt of more than $34,000 for cocaine that Wiggins provided on credit. It is further alleged that Wiggins and Warren then went about collecting on that debt while continuing to supply large amounts of cocaine to that customer," a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office reports.
"Specifically, Wiggins allegedly directed Warren to distribute cocaine to that customer on four separate occasions between September and December 2024: approximately 91 grams of cocaine on Sept. 10, 2024; approximately 100 grams of cocaine on Oct. 14, 2024; 125 grams of cocaine on Oct. 31, 2024; and 150 grams of cocaine on Dec. 10, 2024."
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine can lead to up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
Wiggins had been under investigation since March, according to charging documents. The customer is a co-operating witness who provided investigators with Wiggins' phone number and locations where the alleged criminal activities had occurred, among other detailed information. The witness has open criminal cases and is "hoping to mitigate" their sentence.
Wiggins, a St. Joseph High School and Endicott College graduate, has worked at PHS since 2021.
U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge with the FBI's Boston Division made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. Assistance was provided by the Holyoke, Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield, Easthampton and Pittsfield Police Departments; Berkshire, Hampden and Franklin County Sherriff's Offices; Massachusetts State Police; and the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches, chief of the Springfield Branch Unit, is prosecuting the case.
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