MEMPHIS (AP) — A leader of the Gangster Disciples street gang in Tennessee has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, federal prosecutors said.

Demarcus Deon Crawford, 36, was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty in June to racketeering conspiracy for serving as the gang’s “chief enforcer” for Tennessee, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a news release Wednesday.

As chief enforcer, Crawford was responsible for the gang’s alleged criminal activity in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and other cities, prosecutors said.

Crawford ordered the shooting of rival gang members for retaliation and to maintain his position within the Gangster Disciples. Prosecutors said he also participated in acts of attempted murder and drug trafficking.

Authorities say Gangster Disciples is a highly organized gang that is active in more than 35 states.