SALEM – A Peabody man caught peddling an assortment of narcotics from his home in 2008 was sentenced to serve three years in state prison, followed by seven years of probation.Jose A. Morales, 26, of 19 Paleologos St., was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine as well as possession of Ecstasy with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of OxyContin and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.Salem Superior Court Judge David A. Lowy agreed to adopt the joint recommendation by Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Hickey and defense lawyer Gary Zerola.On Oct. 31, 2008, police responded to Morales’ home on a report of a stabbing. Morales had been stabbed multiple times in his apartment during what police believe was a “drug rip-off.”During the police investigation police found over 14 grams of cocaine, 141 Ecstasy tablets along with some marijuana and one OxyContin pill as well as $2,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.At the request of Zerola the imposition of the sentence was stayed one week so Morales can get his affairs in order.He remains free on bail.
