Gang leader Eugene Chung has been sentenced to 10 years, 6 months in prison on federal extortion charges in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Chung was the leader of a gang that specialized in the violent collection of debts from business owners in the Korean-American community. He and his gang also shook down business owners for “protection payments” and engaged in other criminal conduct, including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and gambling.
Chung earlier pled guilty to two counts of interfering with commerce by extortion. Four other members of Chung’s gang were also convicted of federal extortion offenses.
“Chung carefully cultivated his reputation for violence, and profited from that reputation by victimizing our Korean-American community,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “He bragged that he and his associates were ‘professionals’ at extortion and that harming their victims was one more way to get people to pay. The community is safer now that he and his fellow gang members are off the streets.”
Chung and his gang committed the crimes in Gwinnett County, Georgia, between July 2009 and December 2009. They visited a Korean restaurant in Gwinnett County and demanded a monthly share of the restaurant’s profits from the owner, ranging from $400 to $800, in exchange for “protection.”
The FBI opened an investigation after the restaurant owner was assaulted by Chung and his associates on December 16, 2009. The owner resumed making protection payments under FBI surveillance, including two payments that were made to Kim for Chung.
Eugene Chung, 10 years, 6 months in prison, ATLANTA, Georgia, March 10, 2010. He was sentenced on federal extortion charges for his role in a violent extortion ring in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
The case highlights the importance of community members speaking out against crime and working with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI commend the bravery of the victims who came forward and cooperated with the investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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