Feds Round Up Asian Gang That Cast ‘Shadow Of Violence’ Over Sunset Park
Eight members and associates of the Zheng Organization, an Asian American gang that operates in Sunset Park and Flushing, Queens, were rounded up by the Joint Asian Organized Crime Task Force — which includes FBI and NYPD officials — this week.
The pack allegedly ran illegal poker games in Sunset Park and sold MDMA and Ketamine in both boroughs, according to a 13-count federal indictment unsealed Tuesday, which includes charges of racketeering, narcotics trafficking, extortion offenses, illegal gambling, and soliciting assaults.
“For years, Zheng and his associates committed violent acts to make money, protect their territory, and as retribution for perceived slights. Violent gangs are a blight on our neighborhoods, and we will do all in our power to prevent them from casting a shadow of violence over our streets,” said United States Attorney Robert L. Capers.
The gang allegedly cleared $2,000 a day from gambling parlor operated out of a Sunset Park hair salon located at 5917 7th Avenue, reports Patch. Dubbed nicknames like “Blackie” and “Chicken Feather,” the suspected gang members are accused of ordering and carrying out multiple violent crimes, included extortions and assaults for hire.
Qian “Cash” Zheng, 44, the gang’s apparent ringleader, hired two individuals in August 2013 to assault an unidentified man and woman, requesting that one of the victim’s legs be broken and the other victim’s face scarred, according to the indictment. On another occasion, gang members allegedly ordered an assault, specifying that the victim should be crippled and beaten “until he was half dead.”
Below is a list of the defendants:
- QIAN ZHENG, also known as “Cash” Age: 44
- GUIFU GAO, also known as “Chicken Feather” Age: 35
- XIN LIN, also known as “Blackie” Age: 33
- ALLEN HUI CHEN, also known as “Yi Hui” Age: 43
- KAI HUAN HUANG, also known as “Shen Shen” Age: 25
- BILLY CHEN, also known as “Lo Di” Age: 42
- JIAYO JIANG, also known as “Yi Qiang” Age: 45
- XUE JIANG GAO, also known as “Xue Zhang” Age: 30
Most recently, in May 2015, Zheng sent his underlings — including Xin Lin, Kai Huan Huang, and Xue Jiang Gao — to collect money from a male victim at his gambling parlor. When the man insisted that he did not owe any money, the alleged gangsters beat him with their fists and wooden stools, breaking a bone in his hand, according to the indictment.
“These arrests demonstrate our dedication to protecting our communities from the shake downs and intimidation this gang carried out across the city,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton. “This case is the latest example of the utility of the task force model in rooting out violence in all of its forms.”
If convicted, Zheng faces a maximum sentence of 164 years, while his associates face between 15 to 40 years in prison.