HAMMOND -- The reputed leader of one of Gary's most violent street gangs was sentenced Thursday to the maximum term of 65 years, more than two years after his conviction on federal drug and weapons charges.

Terrance "Jack" Young, 27, the head of the 22nd Avenue Boys, was handed the enhanced sentence by U.S. District Court Judge James Moody, who also assessed a $15,000 fine on the five-count conviction.

Young was convicted on charges including drug dealing, weapons possession and drive-by shooting.

Evidence was presented at trial by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Cooley that Young was the leader of the gang, a faction of the nationwide Vice Lords gang, in the early 1990s and again after his release from prison from late 1997 to early 1998.

Young was convicted in October 1998 of conspiracy to deliver 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine, and also was convicted of the June 1998, drive-by shooting at 25th Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in Gary that injured three juveniles.

The area near the shooting was inside the "turf" of the gang, which took its name from its main operation location near 22nd Avenue and Broadway. Young's sentence was increased because of evidence that he threatened government witnesses before and after the trial.