Former Lynn man pleads innocent to drug charges

SALEM – A former Lynn man who is facing a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in state prison after being caught peddling cocaine again in Lynn remains held at the Middleton Jail after pleading innocent.Robert Tate, 33, last known address of 103 Appleton St., Lowell, appeared Monday afternoon in Salem Superior Court for his arraignment, pleading innocent to possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, subsequent offense, as well as operating a motor vehicle after a license suspension.Judge Timothy Q. Feeley agreed to set the bail amount at $2,500 cash, which was previously set in Lynn District Court, at the joint request of the prosecutor and defense with the option that a bail review hearing could be heard at a later court date.In the meantime, Tate remains held in lieu of bail at the Middleton Jail.The charges arise out of his arrest on Aug. 4 when he was stopped in a gray Chevy Blazer at the corner of Summer and South streets in Lynn by officers John Sullivan and Thomas Holland.Police said they seized a quantity of crack cocaine from inside the vehicle.At the time police stopped Tate, his license had been revoked because of a prior narcotic conviction, according to prosecutors.His brother, Johnny Tate, 22, of Lynn, is also charged in connection with the case and is expected to be arraigned on Jan. 4.