Massachusetts State Troopers arrest two on weapons and drug charges

In the early morning hours on Saturday, Trooper Michael Leslie, of the State Police Shelburne Falls Barracks, was patrolling Route 91 in Greenfield when he noticed a 2002 BMW sedan with a defective license plate lamp and a loud exhaust. As Trooper Leslie was following the BMW he also noticed the driver was having trouble staying within the proper lane boundaries.

He then activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle as it crossed into Bernardston.

As Trooper Leslie approached the vehicle he noticed the operator, identified as STEVEN HULL, 50 of Brattleboro, Vt., and passenger JENNIFER SASSO, 51 also of Brattleboro, Vt., moving around strangely while seated. Trooper Leslie was also able to observe paraphernalia commonly used in the consumption of crack cocaine along with packaging materials commonly used in the sale of illegal narcotics.

While speaking to the occupants, Trooper Leslie discovered there was a loaded handgun in the vehicle. Neither HULL nor SASSO were licensed to possess a firearm and as a result were both taken into custody. A search of HULL’s person yielded additional drug paraphernalia prior to him being transported to the barracks.

Once HULL and SASSO were secured, Trooper Leslie searched the vehicle with the assistance of Trooper Chris Titi, K9 Trooper Greg Valentine, and Officer Emily Rowell of the Greenfield Police Department. Their search yielded a combined 34 grams of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and fentanyl along with numerous prescription pills, over $1400 in cash, additional drug paraphernalia, a Hi-Point 9mm pistol, and 8 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

HULL and SASSO were both transported to the Shelburne Falls barracks where they were booked. A bail amount of $50,000 was placed on HULL and $25,000 on SASSO, however, they were transported to the Franklin County House of Correction to await transport to their arraignment this morning at Greenfield District Court.

In addition to motor vehicle violations HULL is charged with the following:

• Trafficking in Cocaine;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl;
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws;
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm;
• Improper Storage of a Firearm;
• Carrying a Dangerous Weapon;
• Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card;
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card;
• Possession of a Class B Drug;
• Possession of a Class A Drug; and
• Possession of a Class E Drug.

SASSO is charged with the following:

• Trafficking in Cocaine;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl;
• Possession of a Class B Drug with Intent to Distribute;
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws;
• Possession of a Class B Drug; and
• Possession of a Class E Drug.