By Joe Bachman

A 27-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman have been charged with the manufacture and delivery of heroin after police say both were involved in the trafficking and sale of illegal substances.

Devin Phillips, of Milwaukee, and April Habeck, of Wisconsin Rapids, face charges of manufacturing and delivering heroin, while Phillips faces additional counts of possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to sell.

According to reports, on May 24, an investigation was launched into the heroin trafficking activities of Phillips. A confidential informant purchased one gram of heroin from Phillips, and soon after took the defendant into custody.

Officers searched Phillips and found 20 plastic corner tie offs in a larger plastic baggie containing a white, chunky powdery substance. The individually packed baggies weight approximately 0.3-0.4 grams each. Also found were pink gem packs each containing 0.7 grams of a brown, chunky substance, and $1,629 in cash.

Tests would later confirm the substances to be heroin and cocaine.

Police also spoke to two individuals who were in the same vehicle Phillips was in during the initial purchase. Habeck was identified as the driver, and allegedly told police that she had known Phillips for a couple of months, and that she had given him rides back and forth from Milwaukee to meet with others in the Wisconsin Rapids area to distribute and sell heroin and cocaine. Phillips paid her $100 per ride to and from Milwaukee.

Lanesha Todorovich. (Courtesy Wood Co Jail)

The third person in the vehicle, identified as Lanesha Todorovich, of Milwaukee, informed police that she was a prostitute. She allegedly told police that she met Phillips through a friend, and accompanied Phillips to Wisconsin Rapids because he would “take care of her” in exchange for sexual favors. Todorovich believed that Phillips was selling illegal substances at the time. In her possession police found 1.6 grams of marijuana.

Records indicate that Phillips has a prior conviction of selling heroin on Mar. 18, 2014.

If convicted, Phillips faces a total of up to 42 years and six months imprisonment and up to $100,000 in fines for counts of possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to deliver. Habeck faces up to 12 years and six months imprisonment, and up to $25,000 in fines. Todorovich faces up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for possession of THC.

Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jun. 8. Habeck is currently out on a $10,000 bond, while Phillips is out on a $50,000 bond.