Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges Involving Heroin

A Detroit man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal drug charges involving heroin, according to information from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin's office.

Zachery Jose Merritt, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Merritt appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers in Huntington.

Merritt is accused of mailing more than $38,000 worth of heroin to associates.

Between September 2012 and June 2013, Merritt, also known as "Zane," mailed quantities of heroin to associates located in Huntington. The heroin was later sold in Huntington for $125 per gram. Drug proceeds totaling $38,250 were deposited in Merritt's bank account.

Police said that the bank deposits were made to the defendant's account in Huntington. Withdrawals from the same account, though, were completed by Merritt in Detroit.

During the conspiracy, Merritt also provided heroin to co-conspirator and Huntington resident, Lindsey Alyn Thacker. Thacker, also known as "Lindsey Webb," 29, made approximately seven trips to Detroit between the summer of 2012 through June 20, 2013 to obtain heroin and crack cocaine from Merritt.

Also during the conspiracy, Thacker and her associate, Keith Eric Wood, 28, made their Huntington residence available to acquaintances for the purpose of storing and distributing heroin.

Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the residence on June 20, 2013 and found approximately .3 grams of heroin and more than $1,000 in cash.

Thacker and Wood each pleaded guilty on Nov. 5 to maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing heroin. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on Feb. 18, 2014.

Merritt faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 18, 2014.