SALEM – A Lynn man who faces a mandatory 25 years in state prison if convicted of peddling heroin and cocaine remains held at the Middleton Jail on $50,000 cash bail after pleading innocent Wednesday in Salem Superior Court.Jose Ortiz, 27, of 314 Boston St., #1, entered his plead of innocent to trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine and trafficking over 100 grams of heroin before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.As jointly recommended by the prosecutor and defense, the judge agreed to set the same bail amount as was previously established in Lynn District Court and also agreed to leave the door open for a bail review at another court hearing.The two indictments arise out of a drug bust at Ortiz’ home on the night of March 9 when police said they discovered one-quarter of a kilo, 250 grams, of cocaine along with two bags of heroin containing 150 grams. Also reportedly found was a scale, a kilo press, cutting agents and baggies.Ortiz is scheduled for a pretrial conference on June 30. He currently is serving a year in jail on a probation violation for an assault and battery charge out of Lynn, according to court documents.Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio is prosecuting the case for the state.Public defender David Grimaldi is Ortiz’ defense lawyer since Ortiz has been deemed indigent, meaning he has no funds to hire his own attorney. The state will pay all costs, but Ortiz is responsible for $150 towards the legal representation.Lynn Police officer Ross Panacopoulos spearheaded the investigation and his arrest.
