Man sentenced to 17 years in prison for heroin trafficking

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for serving as ringleader of a drug trafficking organization centered in Benton Harbor.

Joseph Jackson was found guilty of purchasing heroin from Chicago and then recruiting others to transport it to Benton Harbor, where it was stored and sold by his recruits.

An investigation into the drug operation determined that Jackson was responsible for distributing between 50 to 65 grams of heroin beginning in 2013 until his arrest.

Eight others have been charged, convicted and sentenced as Jackson’s conspirators.

Six men received prison terms ranging from 11 years seven months. Two women who acted as couriers got jail time.