Yesterday, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Troop B CAT Team were on patrol in Pittsfield on South Street when they observed a blue Honda sedan traveling northbound with a defective brake light. The Troopers subsequently stopped the vehicle after it took a quick left turn and accelerated away from them for several hundred yards.
The Troopers determined that the operator was the registered owner, JOSEPH WALKER, 42, of Pittsfield. Also in the vehicle were DERRICK LAFOREST, 33, of Pittsfield and a JUVENILE female, both in the back seat. Further investigation led to the discovery of approximately 10 packets on WALKER and 500 packets inside the vehicle of a substance believed to be heroin. LAFOREST was also in possession of $1640 in cash. The street value of the suspected heroin was $20,200.
WALKER, LAFOREST and the JUVENILE were placed under arrest and transported to the Cheshire Barracks for booking. At the Barracks LAFOREST repeatedly threatened the booking Trooper. They were held on bail, $100,000 for LAFOREST, $50,000 for WALKER and $5,000 for JUVENILE. LAFOREST and WALKER were transported to the Berkshire House of Correction, and JUVENILE was transported to the alternative lockup program in Springfield pending their arraignment.
LAFOREST was charged with the following offenses:
1. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance (Heroin)
2. Trafficking in Heroin
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
4. Witness Intimidation
WALKER was charged with the following offenses:
1. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance (Heroin), subsequent offense
2. Trafficking in Heroin
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
4. Brake Light Violation
JUVENILE was charged with the following offenses:
1. Trafficking in Heroin
2. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
No further information is currently available. Please do not call the barracks directly for media inquiries.