(Indianapolis, IN) - A Michigan City heroin dealer wanting his prison sentence reduced has lost his appeal. Devante King was given a 10-year prison sentence in November of 2020 for selling 2.7 grams of heroin.

 

The Level 4 Felony Offense has a sentencing range of 2-to-12 years.

 

King argued the sentence was extreme because the crime involved no brutality and the sentencing Judge Michael Bergerson in La Porte Superior Court 1 gave too much weight to his past convictions in determining punishment.

 

However, the Indiana Court of Appeals today upheld the sentence.

 

The appellate judges pointed out his prior convictions were for Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon in 2011; Robbery in 2013 and Unlawful Transport of a Firearm in 2017. The judges also cited King being on supervised release from federal custody at the time he was caught selling heroin.

 

King was found guilty by a jury, which was not able to reach a verdict on a similar drug dealing charge and allegations the drugs he sold caused the death of Anthony Comeno.

 

Currently, King is serving his prison sentence while awaiting a retrial on the allegations that resulted in a hung jury.