Topeka ? The ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole for dealing heroin, prosecutors said.

Michael McElhiney, 45, was convicted in September of one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin at the Leavenworth prison. He was sentenced Friday.

Prosecutors said McElhiney organized a heroin-smuggling ring in which the drugs were brought into the prison through contacts in the visiting room. They said he coerced inmates into having visitors smuggle in heroin, then with the help of his associates, McElhiney sold the drugs to other inmates.

A portion of the money from the drug sales was sent to other Aryan Brotherhood inmates throughout the federal prison system to buy more heroin, prosecutors said.

McElhiney was serving a 21-year sentence for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to murder a witness.