A member of a gang that specialized in robbing drug dealers in Buffalo has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Thamud "Damu" Eldridge, 44, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Buffalo. He was convicted of federal racketeering charges as well as kidnapping and robbery after a seven-week trial.
Prosecutors said Eldridge was part of a gang operating out of the city's East Side from 2003 until 2005. Authorities say the gang targeted drug dealers, stealing their narcotics, money and jewelry.
Eldridge and other gang members also kidnapped drug dealers, threatening to kill them if they didn't surrender their narcotics.
Another gang member, Kevin Allen, was convicted and is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday.
