March 21, 2008

Chinese Organized Crime Leader Sentenced to twelve and a half years in prison

NEW YORK - Michael J. Garcia, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LIM SHANG, a/k/a "Ah Ho," a/k/a "Lo Ban," a/k/a "Lin He," the leader of a violent and organized criminal enterprise (the "Lim Organization"), was sentenced today to 151 months in prison.

LIM pleaded guilty on June 27, 2007, to racketeering crimes including an attempted murder in May 2003, and the operation of illegal gambling businesses. United States District Judge BARBARA S. JONES imposed the sentence in Manhattan federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made during the defendant's guilty plea proceeding: From approximately 2002 through 2004, LIM led a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in various crimes including conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder, extortion, loansharking, and trafficking in counterfeit goods.

As the leader of the organization, LIM supervised the criminal activities of the other members, provided them with support and protection, and resolved disputes with other organized criminal groups, at times using violence and threats of violence. The Organization led by LIM also physically attacked individuals who owed the Organization money.

LIM also participated in the widespread operation of a lucrative illegal gambling business. On May 9, 2003, a member of LIM's organization, acting on orders from LIM, shot in the head an individual believed to be a rival gang member. The victim of the shooting survived.

"Today's sentencing underscores the exemplary collaboration and work with our law enforcement partners," said Peter J. Smith, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for New York City. "Our ability to work together across jurisdictions has had a crippling effect on transnational criminal enterprises that often prey on members of their own communities. Our streets are safer today with Lim Shang behind bars."

LIM was indicted in a larger prosecution of 54 members and associates of his organization. To date, 37 defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced.

Mr. GARCIA praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Asian Organized Crime Task Force, comprised of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Detectives of the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorneys JONATHAN S. KOLODNER, and JONATHAN B. NEW are in charge of the prosecution.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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