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IRON MOUNTAIN -- A Kingsford man accused of selling cocaine pleaded not guilty Monday in Dickinson County Circuit Court.
Justin Rushing, 36, is charged with delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
In a separate file, Rushing is charged with a second count of delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance as well as maintaining a drug house, a high court misdemeanor with a penalty of up to two years in prison.
Rushing is charged as a four-time habitual offender in both files. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison.
Rushing waived arraignment, so was not required to appear in court. The pleas were entered on his behalf by Dickinson County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Ninomiya.
According to the criminal complaints, Rushing sold cocaine on two occasions in July to a confidential informant during controlled transactions. One sale was reportedly for 3.5 grams of cocaine, also known as an eight-ball, and the second for a gram. Both substances tested positively as cocaine, a schedule 2 controlled substance.
A pre-trial conference is set for Sept. 23. Bonds are continued at $15,000 and $20,000 cash, surety or ten percent.
Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 29, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.