SPRINGFIELD — Former Pittsfield High School dean Lavante Wiggins appears to be negotiating a plea in his federal cocaine distribution case, though a deal has not yet been reached.

Wiggins, 32, along with Theodore "Monty" Warren, 44, both of Pittsfield, was arrested December 2024, and later indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in western Massachusetts. The case drew national attention, and preceded a flood of investigations into other administrators at Pittsfield High School, as allegations of unrelated misconduct began surfacing amid heightened scrutiny of district leaders.

During a brief remote hearing before Judge Mark G. Mastroianni on Tuesday, Wiggins' attorney, Vikas Dhar, signaled that his client intends to change his plea, which would avert the need for a trial, if an acceptable agreement can be reached with prosecutors.

Dhar said the parties will file a motion for a change-of-plea hearing if they settle on terms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Desroches confirmed to Mastroianni that the parties are working toward a deal.

Warren, who prosecutors allege served as Wiggins' drug runner, was scheduled to appear Tuesday for his own change-of-plea hearing, but it was moved to July 9 due to an attorney scheduling conflict. A status conference for Wiggins is scheduled for Aug. 7, as the both sides continue to negotiate.

Officers assigned to the FBI's Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force had been investigating Wiggins for months before the two were arrested. Investigators allege Wiggins sold approximately 466 grams of cocaine to a confidential witness across four controlled purchases between September and December 2024.

The cooperating witness was paid $8,500 in living expenses by the government and worked with investigators in hopes of receiving leniency from state prosecutors on his own open criminal cases. Warren allegedly was Wiggins' middleman, helping to arrange transactions and transport cocaine, according to court documents.

Investigators documented the alleged transactions using a recording device worn by the cooperating witness, according to court documents, and footage from pole-mounted surveillance cameras. They also executed search warrants at both men's homes and on their cellphones.

Wiggins had worked at Pittsfield High School since 2021. He was placed on administrative leave following his arrest and was no longer employed by the district by April 2025.

Both men pleaded not guilty following their arrests and were released with conditions. A federal grand jury indicted them on four counts each of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting, as well as one count each of conspiracy to distribute. Each count carries up to 20 years in federal prison upon a conviction, with no mandatory minimum sentence.

Prosecutors are also seeking a forfeiture judgment that would require them to pay back $24,500 in proceeds obtained through illegal activity.

Last week, a Berkshire Superior Court judge approved a bank's request to seize Wiggins' 2023 Maserati after he allegedly missed 17 months of payments, leaving a balance of more than $86,000. The final payment that went through came days before his December arrest.