Judge Sandy Mattice heard pleas from his attorney for a lesser sentence and also cited letters from friends and family members in support of Berry, who had faced up to life in prison.

Authorities earlier said the 35-year-old Berry was one of the

He said the Chicago gang had 70,000 members, and nationwide the Gangster Disciples counted a million members.

Berry has an extensive criminal record, although he has no prior felonies and none of his previous charges involve weapons or violence, officials said.

Judge Mattice said he had carefully read all of the letters in the defendant's behalf and he had some response before announcing the sentence.

"Mr. Berry, from what I've read in these letters, you must be leading a double life. You appear to be a good family man who does good work in the community, but I can't believe you would be involved in such illegal activity," Judge Mattice addressed the defendent.

"You have an extensive criminal history with very little time served. We try to send a message when we give people a second chance, but people must learn from their mistakes.

"If you don't, you eventually get prosecuted in a federal court room and that's the case here today," Judge Mattice added.

Berry said he is not a bad person and not really involved in gang activity like was originally thought.

He then asked the court for another chance.

Judge Mattice then added provisions for drug and alcohol treatment for Berry while he's incarcerated.

He said, "You are a relatively-young man who I hope will learn from this experience and become a positive member of our society.

"I'm also asking that you be given a good medical evaluation and that you receive a minimum of 500 hours of drug abuse treatment."

Angela Glover was also scheduled for sentencing on charges of theft of $83,000 from the Business Development Center in North Chattanooga.

Ms. Glover, the former director of that center, had been fired in December 2006 on charges of accounting discrepancies.

Her case was passed until Aug. 18, when she faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million as well as requirement to make restitution.

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