Lynn man faces nearly 10 years for heroin charges

SALEM – A Lynn man facing a mandatory 9 1/2 years in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine in a school zone remains free on $2,500 cash bail after pleading not guilty in Salem Superior Court Tuesday morning.Cristian Rodriguez, 21, of 7 Chatham St., #1, entered his not guilty plea to trafficking over 28 grams of heroin, trafficking over 14 grams of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin in a school zone stemming from his arrest in Lynn in June.Judge David A. Lowy set the bail amount as previously set in district court, despite a strong plea by the commonwealth that it be increased to $10,000 cash.Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Sheehan felt it was not high enough, saying he would feel more “comfortable” with the increase even though Rodriguez has no prior record.He pointed out to Lowy that it was also based on the 9 1/2-year minimum mandatory punishment Rodriguez is facing, as well as the facts of the case.On the night of June 10 undercover police units observed a suspicious vehicle on Chatham Street and saw Rodriguez walk up to the vehicle.Police, believing a drug deal was in progress, immediately moved in and found two bags of heroin on the ground next to Rodriguez.Police also seized $250 from Rodriguez and heroin was found on the passenger inside the vehicle, Sheehan said.A search warrant was then executed for his home where more than three ounces of heroin, 99 grams, was confiscated along with nearly one ounce of cocaine, 25 grams, a kilo press and other drug-related items, along with documentation linking him to the apartment.But defense lawyer Frank Sanchez disputed the narcotics found in the home were his client?s, contending they belonged to his client?s father and that he actually was the main focus in the police investigationSanchez reminded the judge that his client came voluntarily to court, was a natural citizen and was ready to answer to the charges while contending that his client was not living on Chatham Street at the time.His next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 20 for a pretrial conference.