Ligonier man charged in cocaine case

A Ligonier man has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, the Noble County prosecutor said today.

Juan Jose Rodriguez, 31, was to have his initial hearing today, at which time bail would be set, Prosecutor Steven Clouse said in a statement.

The statement said Rodriguez is accused of selling cocaine on three occasions to a cooperating person beginning in October. On Wednesday, it said, a search warrant was executed at Rodriguez's home, resulting in the recovery of that police said was more than four ounces of cocaine and more than $1,000 in cash.

The charges are based on an investigation by the IMAGE Drug Task Force and the Elkhart County I.C.E. Unit, as well as Ligonier police, the statement said.