Now former Massachusetts governor staffer deemed dangerous, ordered held without the right to bail

Springfield, MA – Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced today that following a 58A dangerousness hearing held in Springfield District Court, Lamar Cook, 45, of Springfield, was deemed a danger to the community and ordered held without the right to bail.

Cook was deputy director leading the governor’s Western Mass Office in Springfield, but was fired after his arrest.

Cook was arrested earlier this week as part of an ongoing investigation that has resulted in the seizure of multiple parcels containing a combined total of approximately 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine, including approximately 8 kilograms intercepted on Saturday, during a controlled delivery operation at 436 Dwight St., the Springfield State Office Building, where Cook was employed. On Monday night, investigators executed a search warrant of the suspect’s former office within the building.

The investigation stems from one prior seizure conducted by law enforcement earlier this month. On October 8 , 2025, investigators intercepted and searched two suspicious packages destined for Hotel UMass in Amherst, which were found to contain approximately 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield. The investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and may result in additional charges.

Cook was arrested on Tuesday in the evening while operating his vehicle in Springfield. He has been charged with Cocaine, Trafficking in, 200 Grams or More (in relation to the approximately 8 kilograms seized from the Springfield State Office Building operation), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. At his initial arraignment, the Commonwealth filed a motion to detain Cook as a danger to the community. That motion was allowed, and he was held without the right to bail pending a full hearing on the motion.

Today, a full hearing was conducted on the Commonwealth’s 58A dangerousness motion. Following the hearing, the Judge determined that Cook is a danger to the community and no conditions of his release can be imposed to ensure the safety of the community. Cook was ordered held without the right to bail. His next court date is scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025. Cook is presumed innocent of all allegations until proven guilty.

During Cook’s initial arraignment on Wednesday, on the firearms charge, a $25,000 cash bail was set without prejudice. At today’s hearing, the Judge updated bail to $25,000 cash bail with prejudice.

The investigation is being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET West), the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other partner agencies.