MACHIAS, Maine — A man accused of selling 10 retail-sized bags of heroin pleaded guilty to possession of heroin on Wednesday.
Michael Berrios-Ortiz, who originally was charged with trafficking in heroin, entered the plea in Washington County Superior Court.
The heroin trafficking charge carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, but his plea netted him a $500 fine.
Berrios-Ortiz was 33 at the time of his arrest last spring and was from Hartford, Conn., although he has been free on bond and living in Milbridge.
He was arrested by Maine Drug Enforcement agents and sheriff’s deputies in May 2013 on charges stemming from an alleged heroin sale in 2012.
Berrios-Ortiz allegedly sold about 1 gram of heroin, valued at about $200, to MDEA agents, authorities announced at the time of his arrest, but he left the state shortly after the transaction.
He was arrested the following year after authorities learned he had returned to Washington County.