The mystery of the origin of the name Tat-Gang, a network of 11 individuals who sold heroin and other drugs in Lycoming County and the surrounding areas between 2011 and 2014, has been solved.

For several weeks, members of the gang, some from Williamsport and others from Philadelphia, have been appearing for sentencing in U.S. Middle District Court.

On Thursday, Joey Leigh Elmore, 27, of Philadelphia, a tattoo artist who arrived in Williamsport at age 23 to do more than put needles in those seeking to add color to their exteriors, was sentenced to six years in federal prison by U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann.

Brann called Elmore “an incompetent drug dealer” because he was before his bench and not on the street continuing to peddle the drugs as part of the gang that got its name from the tattoos members wore.

Elmore had arrived in Williamsport in 2011 to operate a side business tattooing, thus the name of the gang, which began in January 2010 and continued for four years.

The cash flow was in selling the heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to users in the city and surrounding area. It was estimated the gang sold a little more than $1.7 million worth of the narcotics and other drugs, such as crack cocaine.

Residences in Williamsport were used to process and store the drugs, with some sales taking place from a South Williamsport motel.

Infighting among gang members occurred, with some selling product cheaper and others selling higher quality or purer quantities of the deadly drug, which continues to cause overdoses and overdose deaths.

Elmore was nabbed on Oct. 10, 2013, in possession of four bags of heroin.

His mother was in the court Thursday, the first time they saw each other in 37 months since he had been incarcerated. He’d pleaded guilty on June 27, 2014, to count one of an indictment on a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 28 grams of crack cocaine and cocaine and expressed his remorse and being a changed individual while behind bars.

His attorney, Richard Hoffa, said that when he first came into contact with his client Elmore was emaciated and looked like a drug addict, but while in prison Elmore had gained 70 pounds.

He also had changed his lifestyle and had a better mental outlook on life.

Elmore told the judge he didn’t want his little brother to look at him and think “this is cool.”

Elmore said of his time in jail, “I promise you, you will never see me again in front of you.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel said Elmore had been involved in a conspiracy with a gang that was distributing heroin and other drugs on area streets. He noted Elmore’s positive attitude and positive reaction to being incarcerated and that he appeared to have made amends.

The gang also eventually got into the business of exchanging guns for cash and drugs. Several of the gang members have received similar or longer sentences based on their involvement and guilty pleas, and one more remains to be sentenced.

Hoffman requested Elmore be given some drug treatment.

Brann suggested to Elmore than he take advantage of the educational opportunities available in the federal prison system.

Brann ordered four years of supervised release, required Elmore pay $100 immediately and a $200 fine while in prison.