Haydenville man held without bail on new drug, firearms charges

Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton

Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 07-11-2024 11:03 AM

Modified: 07-11-2024 11:10 AM


NORTHAMPTON — A Haydenville man who had been free on $15,000 bail following his arrest on drug and assault charges stemming from a multi-town police chase in October remained jailed this week after being arrested recently on new charges.

Eric Kelly-Combs, 33, pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court in May to two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, a firearm violation as a prior offender, possession of a Class C drug and possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card.

Judge Tina Cafaro set bail at $20,000 cash but revoked Kelly-Combs’ right to bail for failure to comply with the conditions of his release on charges out of Hampshire Superior Court.

According to a statement of facts filed in court by Massachusetts State Police, state police and Williamsburg officers, acting on information provided by local police and the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force, obtained and executed a search warrant May 10 at Kelly-Combs’ residence.

After breaking down the front door, police detained Kelly-Combs and two other residents without incident and searched the residence. They allegedly found seven baggies of suspected cocaine in various places, more than 200 oxycodone pills, $1,030 in cash, a 10-round Glock magazine, two rounds of rifle ammunition, and a bag of suspected psilocybin mushrooms.

In the Superior Court case, Kelly-Combs was arrested Oct. 7 following a nearly hour-long motor vehicle pursuit that began on Route 9 in Hadley and ended at the Pelham-Belchertown line on Route 202, according to police reports.

During a traffic stop by Hadley police around 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, Kelly-Combs drove off, initiating a police pursuit through four towns.

He allegedly led pursuing officers through downtown Amherst, up Pelham Road to Pelham and onto Route 202. Officers said they saw him throw several baggies out the window during the chase before he was apprehended in Belchertown.

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He was indicted by a grand jury Jan. 18 on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession to distribute marijuana and cocaine (second or subsequent offenses), resisting arrest and negligent operation.

Police initially filed 22 charges against Kelly-Combs. Seventeen of them were dropped prior to his arraignment in Superior Court.

Kelly-Combs has been convicted of numerous offenses stretching back to 2008, including possession of cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to distribute classified drugs, and assault and battery.

A hearing in his District Court case was set for Aug. 6.