CAMDEN, NJ—An Atlantic City, New Jersey, man today admitted engaging in a conspiracy to distribute heroin with Mykal Derry, a leader of the “Dirty Block” criminal street gang that allegedly used threats, intimidation and violence to maintain control of the illegal drug trade in Atlantic City.

Kamal Allen, a/k/a “Geez,” a/k/a “Maly Geez,” 27, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph E. Irenas in Camden federal court to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of public housing, 1 kilogram or more of heroin, and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:

Allen acted as a distributor and enforcer on behalf of Derry, helping Dirty Block to distribute heroin in and around the public housing apartment complexes of Stanley Holmes, Carver Hall, Schoolhouse, Adams Court and Cedar Court, in Atlantic City. Allen was arrested on March 26, 2013. Allen said in court that he and others travelled with Derry to a shooting range in Lakewood, New Jersey, on Jan. 20, 2013, where Allen—a previously convicted felon—used, possessed, and discharged a firearm. Allen and other members of the group also participated in a violent altercation with rival drug traffickers at an Atlantic City casino in December 2012.

The charge of drug conspiracy in a protected zone, to which Allen pleaded guilty, carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a maximum potential fine of up to $20 million. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Division, Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Welling; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor James P. McClain; the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Henry White; and the South Jersey Safe Streets Violent Incident and Gang (Safe Streets) Task Force, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Askin and Justin C. Danilewitz, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmond Malqui-Burgos of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.