Press Release  Franklin appears in court as a fugitive from Louisiana

PITTSFIELD — A Pittsfield man was arraigned this morning in Central Berkshire District Court as a fugitive from justice.  73 year old JASON V. FRANKLIN, SR. (65 Orchard Street, Apartment A) appeared before Judge Patrick Sabbs.

FRANKLIN had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf on one (1) count of FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE.  He voluntarily agreed to return to Louisiana to appear for trial.  Judge Sabbs ordered that he be held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without the right to bail until Louisiana authorities take custody of FRANKLIN. 

FRANKLIN was taken into custody yesterday by members of the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, Pittsfield Police Department and the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office on an arrest warrant issued by the state of Louisiana charging him with two counts of aggravated rape.  Supporting the arrest and in furtherance of their investigation, officers from the Jefferson Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office travelled to Pittsfield to assist in the operation. 

The investigation was conducted by members of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office with local support provided by Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, Pittsfield Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office.

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