10/27/00 - Members of Asian Crime Ring
Indicted 14 members of an Asian crime ring allegedly headed by Hung
The "Kevin" Dong were indicted in Los Angeles on federal
charges including prostitution and racketeering. Authorities were able to
show that the group operates as an "ongoing criminal
organization," making Dong's syndicate the first Asian organized
crime group to be prosecuted using statutes within RICO.
Dateline - October 28, 2000
LOS ANGELES - Pursuant to an FBI investigation dubbed "Operation
Lucky Money," 14 alleged members of an Asian organized crime ring
were indicted Friday on charges ranging from running a prostitution ring
to credit card fraud. Authorities say the investigation and arrests gave
a much clearer view of the activities of Asian crime rings, which are
currently considered the most dangerous and efficient crime enterprises
in the United States.
James V. DeSarno, Jr., head of the FBI's Southern California operations
said Friday, "We see violence, we see prostitution, we see money
laundering, not unlike what we saw in the early days of organized
crime."
The indictments and arrests are the result of an ongoing joint
investigation by FBI agents in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and the Las
Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Hung The "Kevin" Dong (a.k.a. "Big Brother"), alleged
boss of the group, was arrested Friday along with eight associates. Also
arrested were Chooi Lu, Dong's girlfriend and alleged manager of the
crime syndicate's prostitution ring, Tan Minh Ly (a.k.a.
"Payday"), reputed to be the organization's top weapons
trafficker, David Huang Wei, Johnny Chi Lee, Vincent Huang Wei, Boy Lai,
Hector Barcenas and Binh Quoc Trinh.
The other five individuals named in the indictment are considered
fugitives and are actively being sought. Included on the list individuals
who eluded authorities Friday is Dong An, who is also wanted on murder
charges related to the crime ring's activities.
The 38-count indictment charges members of the San Gabriel Valley-based
crime syndicate with money laundering, credit card fraud, armed robbery,
home invasions, prostitution, murder, armed robbery and drug trafficking.
The gang members are also accused of importing women from Malaysia,
Mexico and other locations into the United States and forcing them into
prostitution.
Dong's syndicate allegedly ran dozens of brothels throughout Las Vegas
and Southern California, with each brothel bringing in tens of thousands
of dollars each month. Gang members would allegedly force the women to
work in one brothel for a few months, then transport her to another and
another, in what amounts to a violation of the Mann Act,
"transporting women for illegal sexual activity," also known as
"white slavery."
More importantly, authorities announced at a press conference on Friday
that, through the use of wiretaps and undercover operatives, they were
able to ascertain that the group operated with a highly structured
management and may be considered, for prosecutorial purposes, an
"ongoing criminal organization." The consequence of such a
discovery is that federal prosecutors were able to make the decision to
prosecute Dong and his associates using the Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, which carries much heavier prison
sentences on conviction than do most white-collar crime statutes.
DeSarno said, "That's the goal, to use racketeering statutes to
dismantle this organization."
The nine individuals arrested Friday remain in custody and will make
their first court appearance on Monday. They are scheduled to be
arraigned on November 6 at the United States District Court in Los
Angeles.Thats around the time I get my next 'mention'.I really hope this
is it,cos I miss my jimmy Dell.
Latest mention...sept 11.