A convicted felon from Atlantic City who admitted being the enforcer of heroin trade in public housing complexes in the city faces as much as 50 years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for July 22.

loading...

Shaamel "Buck" Spencer, 30, confessed to abetting the Dirty Block street gang maintain control of drug traffic in the city, allegedly through threats, intimidation and violence, according to information from the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

In a Camden federal courtroom today, Spencer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He agreed to forfeit drug proceeds and his weapons and ammunition.

The drug conspiracy charge carries a possible sentence of five to 40 years and up to $5,000,000 in fines. The weapons count carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years and fines as high as $250,000.

Prosecutors contended that Spencer acted as muscle to support control of drug distribution in the Stanley Holmes, Carver Hall, Schoolhouse, Adams Court and Cedar Court complexes by Mykal Derry, 33, also of Atlantic City.

At the time of his October 2012 arrest, investigators searching Spencer's dwelling uncovered a 9MM semi-automatic hand gun and about 44 rounds of ammo, authorities said. The following February, he was federally charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition despite a previous conviction.

Spencer and other members of the Dirty Block gang used a firing range in Lakewood for target practice and were photographed there, investigators said.

In his guilty plea, Spencer admitted taking a handgun to an Atlantic City casino where he believed Derry and rivals were fighting.

More From 92.7 WOBM