Lynn drug suspect pleads innocent; remains free

SALEM – A Lynn man who police say they caught peddling narcotics remains free on $500 cash bail after pleading innocent.In Salem Superior Court Friday morning Julio Lopez, 24, of 55 Collins St., #3, pleaded innocent to trafficking over 14 grams of opium as well as distribution of heroin before Judge Robert A. Cornetta.As jointly agreed by the prosecutor the defense, the judge imposed the same bail as previously set in Lynn District Court, but left the door open for a bail review at another court date.In the meantime, Lopez currently is free pending the outcome of his case.The charges arise from his arrest on Dec. 1 when police said they caught him with 27.75 grams of OxyContin.Three weeks later he was arrested again with a quantity of drugs worth approximately $325.He faces a five-year state prison term if convicted on the drug trafficking charge.Assistant District Attorney Marsha H. Slingerland is prosecuting the case and public defender Alice Jayne is representing him.Lopez is scheduled to be back in court on May 4 for a hearing.