News  Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Obtains State Prison Sentence for Assailant

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office obtained a state prison sentence for an individual who severely beat a Pittsfield resident.

Steven Santana, 32, of Dalton, pled guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday to single counts of mayhem, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery to collect a loan, witness intimidation, and four counts of threat to commit a crime.

Judge John Agostini sentenced Santana to serve seven to 12 years in state prison. The Commonwealth requested a sentence of 12 to 15 years in state prison. Defense Counsel requested a sentence of five to seven years in state prison. The state sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of five and a half to eight and a half years in prison.

Santana attacked the victim and caused significant injuries. On Aug. 4, 2021, Pittsfield Police responded to a home for an assault and found a severely injured victim. Action Ambulance transported the victim to Berkshire Medical Center for treatment. The victim later sought further treatment at Albany Medical Center for multiple facial bone fractures and a severe eye injury.

"I am proud of my office's work to hold this individual accountable for the vicious attack on the victim," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said. "I thank the Pittsfield Police Department for its hard work on this case and the medical personnel who attended to the victim's wounds."

Judge John Agostini also sentenced Santana to two and a half years to three and a half years, concurrent with the mayhem sentence, to unrelated firearm charges. On Oct. 4, Santana pled guilty to single counts of carrying a firearm without a license, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, possessing a defaced firearm, trafficking in cocaine, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

In that case, Santana attempted to evade Dalton Police after during a traffic stop. On April 18, 2021, Dalton Police attempted to stop Santana’s vehicle on West Housatonic Street and Santana led police on a chase before ultimately coming to a stop. During the chase, Santana discarded a backpack containing a firearm, cocaine, and evidence of cocaine distribution, which police recovered shortly after the stop.

Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington’s office serves all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County. The office represents the Commonwealth in more than 7,500 criminal cases per year in Berkshire Superior Court, three district courts, three juvenile courts, Massachusetts Appeals Court, and Supreme Judicial Court. The office works closely with the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, and collaborates with local police departments across the county. A dedicated staff of more than 50 prioritizes public safety, empowering victims and witnesses through services and support, and building a safe community for everyone and especially the most vulnerable.