A Kalispell heroin dealer has been sentenced to 10 years in the Montana State Prison after pleading guilty to a drug distribution charge.

Zane Root, 22, was charged after selling 0.3 grams — three “points” or three doses — of heroin on Jan. 7, 2012, for $120.

The length of Root’s sentence handed down by Flathead Judge Ted Lympus, which also included an additional 10 years of probation, was largely due to Root’s history of selling drugs that spanned five years, according to Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan.

Root “is prolific at selling heroin,” Corrigan said.

A second case dismissed as part of a plea deal alleged that Root was supplying heroin to a man and woman who were later convicted on their own drug distribution charges.

Root was also charged in 2009 with three felony counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs for allegedly selling cocaine, ecstasy and oxycodone.

Those charges eventually were transferred to Flathead Youth Court and all of Root’s juvenile case files have been sealed.

Root’s attorney argued for a sentence of five years with the Montana Department of Corrections followed by 10 years of probation, but Lympus chose to follow Corrigan’s suggestion for the sentence.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].