Grimy Times Exclusive: Queens Man Convicted of Extortion Conspiracy and Threatening Physical Violence
A federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict yesterday against defendant Yuan Li for extortion conspiracy and threatening physical violence in furtherance of an extortion plan. The verdict followed a four-day trial before United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan. When sentenced, Li faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the verdict. ‘With this verdict, Li now faces punishment for his role in using fear, intimidation and threats of violence to extort a rival who dared to open a gambling parlor on his co-defendant’s turf,’ stated United States Attorney Donoghue.
The government’s evidence at trial established that Li’s co-defendant, Anthony Pineda, operated numerous gambling parlors from which he distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, in Flushing, Queens. In September 2017, the victim opened a gambling parlor in a building on College Point Boulevard that also housed one of Pineda’s gambling parlors. On September 28, 2019, Li and Pineda demanded that the victim pay 10 percent of his parlor’s profits. When the victim refused, Pineda brandished a gun and Li reiterated his demand for payment, but to no avail.
The next day, Li and Pineda again demanded that the victim provide a percentage of his parlor’s profits. Fearing for his safety, the victim contacted the FBI. The trial was part of a larger prosecution of 11 additional defendants who previously pleaded guilty.
‘I would like to express my grateful appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and the New York City Police Department for their work on the case,’ stated Mr. Donoghue.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime & Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia E. Moore and Drew Rolle are in charge of the prosecution.
Defendant Yuan Li, 38, is a resident of Queens, New York. His co-defendant, Anthony Pineda, operated numerous gambling parlors in Flushing, Queens, from which he distributed large amounts of methamphetamine. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, opened a gambling parlor in a building on College Point Boulevard that also housed one of Pineda’s gambling parlors.
The case is being prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-302 (MKB/BMC)
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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