New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“Last Friday Trooper George D’Amelio, assigned to State Police-Concord, was patrolling Route 495 northbound in Littleton. While he was traveling in the center lane prior to Exit 31 he observed a gray Ram pickup truck approach his cruiser from the rear at a high rate of speed. The truck passed Trooper D’Amelio in the left lane and, while doing so, he noticed very dark tint on the front windows. Trooper D’Amelio active his cruiser’s blue lights and initiated a traffic stop.
After the vehicle came to a full stop Trooper D’Amelio approached it and identified the operator as NATHANIEL JONES, 35, of Springfield. He informed JONES why he was stopped and proceeded to confirm the window tint level at 4% transparency, the legal limit is 35%. While speaking to JONES Trooper D’Amelio began to observe signs of impairment and requested he submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing in order to determine if he was safe to continue operating the vehicle. Additional cruisers, including a Sergeant who is also a Drug Recognition Expert with the Littleton Police Department, arrived on scene to assist.
After further questioning and investigation on scene Trooper D’Amelio had suspicions there were narcotics in the vehicle and requested a K-9 to respond. While waiting for the arrival of the K-9 Troopers learned the female passenger, identified as GINA BARRETTE, 27, of Agawam, had a small amount of heroin and needles in her purse, which were removed from the vehicle for the safety of the K-9. Troopers also observed a bottle of Gabapentin medication fall from the vehicle onto the pavement. The name on the bottle was not either of the vehicle’s occupants. Upon the arrival of Trooper McDevitt and his K-9 partner Dax a sweep of the vehicle was conducted, during which Dax showed interest in the back seat area.
Both JONES and BARRETTE were placed under arrest for possession of the Gabapentin and Heroin and placed in the rear of cruisers on scene. Troopers then requested a tow truck to respond and conducted an inventory of the vehicle’s contents prior to it being removed. During the inventory they located an area in the center console that showed signs of tampering, which was indicative of a possible narcotics hide. After a search of that area Troopers located additional narcotics and paraphernalia for the use and sale of illegal narcotics. In total Troopers located approximately 65 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 88 grams of suspected cocaine, and 25 Gabapentin pills.
Both occupants were transported to the Concord Barracks for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $10,000 for JONES and $2,500 for BARRETTE, which they were able to post. They were scheduled for arraignment at Ayer District Court on the following charges.
NATHANIEL JONES:
1. Trafficking in Heroin;
2. Trafficking in Cocaine;
3. Possession of a Class E Drug;
4. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
5. Possession of a Class B Substance, subsequent offense;
6. Illegal Window Tint; and
7. Speeding.
GINA BARRETTE:
1. Trafficking in Heroin;
2. Trafficking in Cocaine;
3. Possession of a Class E Drug;
4. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
5. Possession of a Class B Drug; and
6. Possession of a Class A Drug.”-Massachusetts State Police.
