CAMDEN, NJ—An Atlantic City, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for engaging in a conspiracy to distribute heroin on behalf of the “Dirty Block” criminal street gang that used threats, intimidation and violence to maintain control of the illegal drug trade in Atlantic City, U.S. Attorney Paul J Fishman announced.

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

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

Allen acted as a distributor and enforcer on behalf of one of the gang’s leaders, Mykal Derry, 32, of Atlantic City. Allen helped Dirty Block 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.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Irenas sentenced Allen to serve 10 years of supervised release.

The charges against Derry are merely allegations, and he is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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 Richard M. Frankel; 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 sentencing.

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.