Four Individuals Arraigned In Largescale Drug Trafficking Operation

On Thursday, October 26^th Midjensky Dextra (Pittsfield), Kieren Perkins (Pittsfield), Ellis R. Staley III (Pittsfield), and Justin Crawford (Pittsfield) were arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court. Second Assistant District Attorney Kelly Kemp represented the Commonwealth. The charges stem from two incidents, one on October 14^th and the other on October 25^th.

On Wednesday, October 25^th, the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, the Berkshire County Drug Task Force and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force arrested four individuals in connection to a six-month long investigation: Midjensky Dextra, Kieren Perkins, Ellis R. Staley III, and Justin Crawford. The investigation included controlled purchases, corroborated informant statements, search warrants and surveillance.  Through this investigation the four individuals were identified as members of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in Pittsfield.

On October 14, 2023, a Massachusetts State Police Trooper performed a traffic stop on Onota Street, Pittsfield. Perkins was the operator of the car with Dextra in the front passenger seat and Crawford in the rear. During the stop, the Trooper observed a plastic bag containing off-white rock like substance in the back seat of the car near Crawford. Crawford was told to exit the vehicle. The police seized 50 grams of crack cocaine. Crawford fled from the scene on foot, and while doing so he dropped his cell phone. The Trooper perused Crawford while Perkins and Dextra fled the scene in their vehicle. Law enforcement recovered Crawford’s phone and applied for a search warrant for the device.

Arrest warrants were issued for Dextra, Perkins, and Crawford. On October 25, 2023 at approximately 12:35pm the Berkshire county Law Enforcement Task Force observed Perkins at 60 Elizabeth Street, Pittsfield MA. Perkins had just exited a gray Nissan Sentra and was heading towards the entrance of Apartment D (at 60 Elizabeth Street). A short time later, at approximately 12:48pm Perkins exited the apartment, got into the driver’s seat of the Nissan Sentra and drove away. While driving north down Wendell Avenue, Perkins pulled over and picked up an individual and then did a three-point turn. At this time, the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force conducted a motor vehicle stop. Perkins was asked to step out of the vehicle and was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant. A search of the Nissan Sentra was performed. Law enforcement officers recovered approximately 202 grams of cocaine and approximately 1,200 bags of heroin. A number of illegal prescription pills were also recovered as well as multiple cell phones and bags. The weight of pills was approximately 42 grams, and believed to be oxycodone. Perkins was transported to Cheshire State Police Barracks for booking.

Following the arrest of Perkins, law enforcement returned to 60 Elizabeth Street to continue their surveillance. At approximately 1:10pm Crawford pulled into the residence driving a white Hyundai Tucson. Staley exited Apartment Dm entered the Hyundai Tucson and the two drove away. While on Second Street, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop for Crawford’s outstanding arrest warrant. During the stop, law enforcement observed an off-white rock like substance consistent with crack cocaine in Staley’s pocket. A search of the motor vehicle and two individuals resulted in the recovery of approximately 44 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 100 bags of heroin. Along with the drugs, law enforcement sized a digital scale, two cell phones and approximately $1,590 in cash. Crawford and Staley were transported to the Pittsfield Police Department for booking.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant for 60 Elizabeth Street which resulted in the recovery of approximately $2,178, a digital scale; money counting machine; a security camera; documents and cards with Crawford, Perkins and Staley’s names on them; and a lease agreement with Perkins name listed as the leasing party.

Evidence collected from this investigation include over 240 grams of crack cocaine/cocaine. This has as street value of approximately $20,000. Approximately 42 grams Oxycodone/Percocet pills with a street value of approximately $42,000. Numerous baggies of suspected heroin, approximately 20 grams. And approximately $5,046 in cash. Digital scales, money counting machines and five cellular phones were also recovered.

Concurrently to the above, Midjensky Dextra was also taken into custody on October 25^th at the Big Y Express on West Street. He was apprehended based on the warrant for his arrest from the October 14^th traffic stop.