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Date: 05-06-2022
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:19-cr-00057-LO
Judge:
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Fairfield County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney: Jesse Winograd and Lana Manitta for Peter Le
Chris Amolsch and Frank Salvato for Young Yoo
Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax for Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn
Robert Jenkins for Tony Minh Le
Description: Alexandria, Virginia criminal defense lawyers represented defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs and other felonies.
A federal jury convicted four defendants on numerous charges relating to a murder, a violent gang enterprise, and a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Virginia, California, and several other states.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Peter Le, 24, of Dunn Loring, Young Yoo, 26, of Centreville, Joseph Lamborn, 28, of California, and Tony Le, 28, also of California, were members of a violent Northern Virginia Street gang called the Reccless Tigers, which was affiliated with a California gang called the West Side Asian Boyz. The gang, which originated in Centerville in 2011, distributed thousands of pounds of marijuana as well as other THC products, cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription drugs. Many of the gang’s customers were middle and high school students in Northern Virginia and college students at a number of Virginia universities.
According to court records, victim Brandon White, owed Yoo approximately $10,000 for marijuana he had obtained from Yoo. In August 2018, White was severely beaten by a Reccless Tigers gang member, David Nguyen, because of this debt. Nguyen was arrested by Fairfax County Police and charged with robbery and malicious wounding. The gang was aware that White had been subpoenaed to testify against Nguyen at a preliminary hearing and attempted to pay him if he would refuse to testify. White was threatened that he would be killed if he testified. White refused the gang's offer, and he testified against Nguyen on Nov. 19, 2018.
On Jan. 31, 2019, and continuing into the early morning hours of February 1, 2019, White was abducted at a shopping mall in Fairfax County and then killed two hours later in a wooded area of Richmond by Peter Le, Yoo, and Lamborn.
The evidence at trial indicated that the gang also engaged in persistent pattern of intimidation and retaliation against individuals who did not pay their drug debts and anyone who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement. Homes in Fairfax, Stafford, and Prince William counties were attacked with Molotov cocktails and vandalized on numerous occasions, forcing homeowners in some instances to move.
Peter Le was convicted of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, narcotics trafficking and related narcotics offenses, kidnapping, murder, and money laundering. Lamborn was convicted of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, narcotics trafficking, kidnapping, and murder. Yoo was convicted of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, narcotics trafficking, kidnapping, and murder. Tony Le was convicted of conspiracy to engage in racketeering and narcotics trafficking.
Peter Le, Young Yoo, and Joseph Lamborn face mandatory life sentences when sentenced on September 9. Tony Le faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment when he is sentenced of September 9.
As demonstrated in the table below, 24 other persons have been charged in connection with the investigation of the Reccless Tigers. Sixteen defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges and have been sentenced. Nine defendants, five who pleaded guilty earlier in addition to the four convicted today, are pending sentencing. Three defendants are fugitives.
Name
Conviction(s)
Result
Peter Le*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Killing while engaged in drug trafficking; Maintaining a drug-involved premises; Distribution of marijuana and cocaine; Use, carry, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; Money laundering.
Faces mandatory life imprisonment on September 9, 2022
Young Yoo*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, Killing while engaged in drug trafficking.
Faces mandatory life imprisonment on September 9, 2022
Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Violent crimes in aid of racketeering murder; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Kidnapping resulting in death; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Killing while engaged in drug trafficking; Firearms murder.
Faces mandatory life imprisonment on September 9, 2022
Tony Minh Le*
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life on September 9, 2022
Kevin Aagesen
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity.
Sentenced to 188 months
Sascha Amadeus Carlisle
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to engage in kidnapping; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years on July 29, 2022
Abdullah Abdow Sayf
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 180 months
Fahad Abdulkadir
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity; Possession with the intent to distribute 50 kilograms or less of marijuana; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 192 months
David Thai Hoang Nguyen
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 171 months
Kyu Wa Hong
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 216 months
Sang Thanh Huynh
Conspiracy to participate in the affairs of an
enterprise engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Money laundering; Felon in possession of a firearm.
Scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2022
Soung Park
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 132 months
Tasneef Amhed Chowdhury
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 121 months
Joshua Andrew Miliaresis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years at a future sentencing hearing
Tyler Thang Le
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 135 months
Dane Nicholas Hughes
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years at a future sentencing hearing
Bradley Sullivan
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years at a future sentencing hearing
Richard Pak
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Distribution of cocaine; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years at a future sentencing hearing
Spencer Pak
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Distribution of cocaine; Use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentenced to 120 months
Tyler Pranompi Sonesamay
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 120 months
Khalil Yasin
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sentenced to 97 months
Anthony Nguyen Thanh Le
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of cocaine
Sentenced to 92 months
Angel Hoang Le
Maintaining a drug-involved premises
Sentenced to 42 months
Zu Hun Chang
Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
Sentenced to 42 months
Brandon Sobotta
Distribution of cocaine
Sentenced to time served (about 7 months)
* convicted today
This was a multi-jurisdictional OCDETF case involving the FBI Washington Field Office, ATF, HSI, IRS, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Fairfax County Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, City of Richmond Police, Montgomery County (MD) Police, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Falls Church Police, City of Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Fire Marshal, Prince William County Fire Marshal, Stafford County Fire Marshal, City of Monterey Park (CA) Police, Garden Grove (CA) Police, Anaheim (CA) Police; Trinity County (CA) Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, DEA San Francisco Division – Reading Office, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Department of Food & Agriculture, California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Cannabis Control, U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of California – Sacramento Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California – Santa Ana and Riverside Offices, and the FBI’s Field Offices in Richmond, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys James L. Trump, Carina A. Cuellar, and Ryan Bredemeier prosecuted the case.
21:846 Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (FORFEITURE)
(1sss)
18:1962(d) Racketeering Conspiracy
(1ssss)
21:856 Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises
(2sss)
18:1959(a)(1) and 2 Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Murder FORFEITURE
(3ssss)
18:1201(a)(c) Kidnapping Conspiracy FORFEITURE
(4ssss)
21:856 Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises
(5sss-6sss)
18:1201(a)(1) and 2 Killing while Engaged in Drug Trafficking FORFEITURE
(5ssss)
21:846 Narcotics Conspiracy FORFEITURE
(6ssss)
21:848(e)(1)(A) and 18:2 Killing while Engaged in Drug Trafficking FORFEITURE
(7ssss)
21:856 and 18:2 Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises FORFEITURE
(8ssss-10ssss)
21:841(a)(1) and 18:2 Distribution of Controlled Substances FORFEITURE
(11ssss-12ssss)
21:841 Distribution of Cocaine
(13sss)
21:841(a)(1) Distribution of Marijuana
(14sss)
18:924(c) Using, Carrying, and/or Possessing Firearms and Destructive Devices FORFEITURE
(16ssss)
18:1956(h) Money Laundering Conspiracy and Money Laundering FORFEITURE
(21ssss)
18:924(c) Use, Carry, and Possess a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense
(22sss)
Outcome: 05/02/2022 837 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Liam O'Grady: Jury Trial (Day 13) as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo held on 5/2/2022.
USA appeared through James Trump, Carina Cuellar, Ryan Bredemeier, SA Bridgit DePietto, and Heather Lee, Paralegal.
Deft(1) Peter Le appeared with counsel Lana Manitta and Jesse Winograd.
Deft(5) Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn(5) appeared with counsel Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax, III.
Deft(8) Tony Minh Le appeared with counsel Robert Jenkins, Jr.
Deft(13) Young Yoo appeared with counsel Christopher Amolsch and Frank Salvato.
Preliminary matters discussed out of the presence of the Jury. Renewed Motion to Continue by Peter Le - DENIED.Jurors appeared as previous. Govt continued to adduce evidence using the evidence presentation system and Rests.
Defendant Tony Minh Le (8): Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal as to all Counts.
Defendant Peter Le (1): Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal as to all Counts.
Defendant Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn (5): Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal as to all Counts.
Defendant Young Yoo (13): Rule 29 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal as to all Counts.
Motions heard and argued out of the presence of the jurors and DENIED.
Jurors excused at 5:46 p.m.
Jury Trial set for 5/3/2022 at 09:00 AM - 1:00 PM FOR JURY (Day 14) in Alexandria Courtroom 1000 before District Judge Liam O'Grady.
Defendants' Remanded.
Court Reporter: S. Wallace(pmil, ) (Main Document 837 replaced on 5/3/2022) (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/02/2022)
05/03/2022 838 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Liam O'Grady: Jury Trial (Day 14) as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo held on 5/3/2022.
USA appeared through James Trump, Carina Cuellar, Ryan Bredemeier, SA Bridgit DePietto, and Heather Lee, Paralegal.
Deft(1) Peter Le appeared with counsel Lana Manitta and Jesse Winograd.
Deft(5) Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn(5) appeared with counsel Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax, III.
Deft(8) Tony Minh Le appeared with counsel Robert Jenkins, Jr.
Deft(13) Young Yoo appeared with counsel Christopher Amolsch and Frank Salvato.
Preliminary matters discussed out of the presence of the Jury. Jury Instruction Conference held with counsel. Stipulation entered in open court. Jurors appeared as previous.
Defense on behalf of Defendant: Tony Minh Le (8) adduced evidence using the evidence presentation system and Rests.
Defense on behalf of Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn (5) asks for Exhibit/Video to be admitted, court admits, and Defendant Rests.
Defense Rests on behalf of Defendants' Peter Le (1) and Young Yoo (13).
Evidence Concluded. Jury Charge started.
Jurors excused at 6:07 p.m.
Jury Trial set for 5/4/2022 at 09:00 AM (Day 15) in Alexandria Courtroom 1000 before District Judge Liam O'Grady.
Defendants' Remanded.
Court Reporter: S. Wallace(pmil, ) (Main Document 838 replaced on 5/4/2022) (pmil, ). Modified on 5/4/2022 to add text (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/03/2022)
05/03/2022 840 STIPULATION REGARDING SENTENCES OF INCARCERATED WITNESSES by USA, Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo and Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
05/04/2022 839 ORDER, for the reasons stated in open court, the Court finds that the evidence presented at trial is sufficient to sustain a conviction to each count. Therefore, Defts' Rule 29 motions are DENIED . Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 05/04/22. (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
05/04/2022 841 Sealed Order as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 05/04/22. (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
05/04/2022 842 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Liam O'Grady: Jury Trial (Day 15) as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo held on 5/4/2022.
USA appeared through James Trump, Carina Cuellar, Ryan Bredemeier, SA Bridgit DePietto, and Heather Lee, Paralegal.
Deft(1) Peter Le appeared with counsel Lana Manitta and Jesse Winograd.
Deft(5) Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn(5) appeared with counsel Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax, III.
Deft(8) Tony Minh Le appeared with counsel Robert Jenkins, Jr.
Deft(13) Young Yoo appeared with counsel Christopher Amolsch and Frank Salvato.
Preliminary matters discussed out of the presence of the Jury. Jurors appeared as previous. Jury Charged. Closing arguments begun. The Protective Order that was previously put in place can be rescinded because the trial testimony is over (per LOG).
Jurors excused at 5:45 p.m.
Jury Trial set for 5/5/2022 at 09:00 AM (Day 16) in Alexandria Courtroom 1000 before District Judge Liam O'Grady. Defendants' Remanded.
Court Reporter: S. Wallace(pmil, ) (Entered: 05/04/2022)
05/05/2022 843 Trial Exhibit Custody Form (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
05/05/2022 844 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Liam O'Grady: Jury Trial (Day 16) as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo held on 5/5/2022.
USA appeared through James Trump, Carina Cuellar, Ryan Bredemeier, SA Bridgit DePietto, and Heather Lee, Paralegal.
Deft(1) Peter Le appeared with counsel Lana Manitta and Jesse Winograd.
Deft(5) Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn(5) appeared with counsel Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax, III.
Deft(8) Tony Minh Le appeared with counsel Robert Jenkins, Jr.
Deft(13) Young Yoo appeared with counsel Christopher Amolsch and Frank Salvato.
Preliminary matters discussed out of the presence of the Jury. Jurors appeared as previous. Closing arguments continued and completed. Jury recessed for lunch and retired to deliberate at 12:38 p.m. Question #1 received from the Jury re: Jury requests the Stipulation regarding the number of marijuana plants at the farm/Stipulation provided to the Jury.
Jurors excused at 5:30 p.m. to return on 05/06/2022 at 9:00 a.m. to continue deliberations.
Jury Trial set for 5/6/2022 at 09:00 AM (Day 17) in Alexandria Courtroom 1000 before District Judge Liam O'Grady. (Attachments: # 1 Jury Question 1)
Defendants' Remanded.Court Reporter: S. Wallace(pmil, ) (Entered: 05/05/2022)
05/06/2022 845 ORDER that Deft Lamborn's renewed motion to represent himself, made orally in open court, is GRANTED. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 05/06/22. (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 846 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Liam O'Grady: Jury Trial (Day 17) as to Peter Le, Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn, Tony Minh Le, Young Yoo held on 5/6/2022.
USA appeared through James Trump, Carina Cuellar, Ryan Bredemeier, SA Bridgit DePietto, and Heather Lee, Paralegal.
Deft(1) Peter Le appeared with counsel Lana Manitta and Jesse Winograd.
Deft(5) Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn(5) appeared with counsel Alan Yamamoto and Pleasant Brodnax, III.
Deft(8) Tony Minh Le appeared with counsel Robert Jenkins, Jr.
Deft(13) Young Yoo appeared with counsel Christopher Amolsch and Frank Salvato.
Jury began deliberations at 9:00 a.m. The Jury returned to the courtroom with verdicts of:
PETER LE (1) Guilty on Counts 1, 3-12, 16 and 21; Not Guilty on Count 13
JOSEPH DUK-HYUN LAMBORN (5) Guilty on Counts 1, 3-7, and 13
TONY MINH LE (8) Guilty on Counts 1 and 6; Not Guilty on Counts 14 and 15
YOUNG YOO (13) Guilty on Counts 1, 3-7; Not Guilty on Counts 13
Jury Polled and Excused at 12:52 p.m. Defts referred to PO for PSIR and Sentencing set for 9/9/2022 at 09:00 AM in Alexandria Courtroom 1000 before District Judge Liam O'Grady. Motion by Tony Le (and joined by all Defts') for an Extension of 60 days to File Post-Trial Motions - GRANTED. Counsel to discuss briefing schedule for post-trial motions.
Defendants' Remanded.
Court Reporter: S. Wallace(pmil, ) (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 847 JURY VERDICT (Redacted) as to Peter Le (1) Guilty on Count 1ssss,3ssss,4ssss,5ssss,6ssss,7ssss,8ssss-10ssss,11ssss-12ssss,16ssss,21ssss; Peter Le (1) Not Guilty on Count 13ssss. (pmil, ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/6/2022: # 1 Jury Verdict (Unredacted) - Under Seal)) (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 848 JURY VERDICT (Redacted) as to Joseph Duk-Hyun Lamborn (5) Guilty on Count 1ss,3ss,4ss,5ss,6ss,7ss,13ss. (pmil, ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/6/2022: # 1 Jury Verdict (Unredacted) - Under Seal)) (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 849 JURY VERDICT (Redacted) as to Tony Minh Le (8) Guilty on Count 1s, 6s; Tony Minh Le (8) Not Guilty on Count 14s-15s. (pmil, ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/6/2022: # 1 Jury Verdict (Unredacted) - Under Seal)) (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 850 JURY VERDICT as to Young Yoo (13) Guilty on Count 1s,3s,4s,5s,6s,7s; Young Yoo (13) Not Guilty on Count 13s. (pmil, ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/6/2022: # 1 Jury Verdict (Unredacted) - Under Seal)) (pmil, ). (Entered: 05/06/2022)
05/06/2022 851 ORDER that the parties are directed to maintain all exhibits offered and admitted in the above case and that the clerk is hereby relieved of all responsibility for said exhibits and that upon request of the clerk, the custodian of the exhibits shall deliver said exhibits to the Clerk forthwith. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 05/06/22. (pmil, ) (Entered: 05/06/2022)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: