Man facing Lynn drug charges free on bail

SALEM – A 26-year-old man who is facing a mandatory 10-year state prison term after police say they caught him twice allegedly peddling cocaine in Lynn, remains free on $1,750 cash after being arraigned in Salem Superior Court.Eddie Rucker, 26, of 70 Tennis Road, #2A, Mattapan, pleaded innocent to two counts of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.Judge Timothy Q. Feeley agreed with the prosecutor and defense to keep the same bail amounts in place that were established in Lynn District Court and continued the case to June 20.In the meantime, Rucker remains free until his case is brought to trial.Assistant District Attorney Michael Sheehan said the charges arise out of two incidents in Lynn earlier this year.On Jan. 9, State Trooper Nicholas Fiore said he stopped Rucker in a 1999 Chevy Malibu for a motor vehicle infraction on Commercial Street and seized a number of twists of cocaine from his person.Then, on Feb. 6, State Trooper James Farrell pulled over a vehicle on the Lynnway for speeding and, after smelling a strong odor of marijuana, he pat frisked the occupants and reportedly seized 28 twists of crack cocaine from Rucker.Rucker apparently was a passenger in the vehicle at the time, according to reports.Because Rucker previously was convicted of drug offenses in 2006 out of Dorchester District Court and 2007 out of Roxbury District Court, he faces a minimum mandatory punishment of five years in state prison on each of the two charges.Rucker has been deemed indigent, meaning he has no money to hire his own attorney. The state will pay all costs but he is responsible for $150 towards the legal representation.Public defender Thomas Pierce has been assigned to represent Rucker.