High School Dean of Students Allegedly Ran a Cocaine Ring on the Side
Pittsfield High School in Massachusetts saw its Dean of Students, Lavante Wiggins, arrested on suspicion of running a cocaine ring. Photo credit: Google Maps, July 2023.
Prosecutors accuse Wiggins and Warren of possession with the intent to distribute as a part of a drug trafficking organization. Warren was allegedly the drug runner for Wiggins, reportedly completing exchanges and drops for him.
Wiggins and Warren each face up to 20 years for conspiracy and distribution charges, as well as a $1 million fine if convicted.
Cooperating Witness with a Problematic Past
A cooperating witness provided information on Wiggins and Warren, according to the criminal complaint. That witness has been arraigned 62 times as an adult and eight times as a juvenile and was allegedly a frequent customer of Wiggins, reportedly racking up $35,000 in drug-related debt. The complaint also acknowledges the witness has current felony charges and hoped to mitigate punishment by cooperating with authorities. The FBI also paid the witness $3,500 for the information he provided on Wiggins and Warren.
Despite the problematic background of the witness, his tips were considered credible by the authorities because they were independently verified during the investigation, according to the criminal complaint. The FBI began directing the witness in communications with Wiggins.
‘I Got Your Money’
On March 26, the witness sent a text message to Wiggins claiming to have some of the money he owed, according to the criminal complaint. Wiggins and the witness reportedly set up a meeting at a local car wash. The witness was equipped with a listening device and $5,000 of the agency’s money.
Instead of Wiggins meeting with the witness, he allegedly sent Warren, who took the payment, according to investigators.
On April 29, the witness contacted Wiggins again via phone call under the direction of the FBI, according to the criminal complaint. The witness claimed to have $15,000 to pay his debt and had a potential customer who wanted to buy 500 grams of cocaine.
On Wednesday, Wiggins allegedly sent Warren to meet with the new “customer,” a wired undercover cop, according to the criminal complaint. The UC opted not to give the money to Warren until he had the cocaine, but Warren allegedly claimed it would take 15 minutes to get the drugs. While Warren was gone, the UC began to fear for their safety and aborted the mission.
Taken Down by a 150 Gram Transaction
Over the next few months, the witness tried to set up a series of controlled purchases from Wiggins, as well as meetings to repay his debts, according to the criminal complaint. On Dec. 10, the witness allegedly met with Warren and received 150 grams of cocaine. The witness gave the drugs to investigators who field-tested it with TruNarc, proving that the powdery substance was cocaine.
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