Lynn man sent to prison after pleading guilty to drug charges

SALEM – A Lynn man who police caught peddling narcotics in a series of drug deals last year was sentenced to serve four to five years in state prison.Michael Rodriguez, 23, of 1 Kingsley Terrace, Lynn, made his plea last Friday afternoon in Salem Superior Court, pleading to three counts of distribution of cocaine before Judge David A. Lowy.The plea was the result of negotiations between Assistant District Attorney Karen Hopwood and defense lawyer Jill S. Gately.The judge agreed to follow their terms.Between March 30 and June 30, 2010, Rodriguez sold twists of cocaine to a cooperating individual at several locations in Lynn, incidents documented by police.Rodriguez was arrested on a warrant during a sting operation in Lynn involving FBI agents, state and local police.The judge credited him with 400 days already served while held in lieu of bail at the Middleton Jail awaiting trial on the case.