Alleged Korean gang members accused of extorting local business owners

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The alleged leader of the Korean Night Breeders street gang in Fairfax County, Va., and another gang member have been indicted by a federal grand jury for using fear, violence and threats of violence to extort or attempt to extort various businesses in the Annandale area of Fairfax County, following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Han Sa Yu, 43, a citizen of the Republic of Korea living in Fairfax, Va., is alleged to be the leader of the Korean Night Breeders, and Je Hyung Yoo, 29, a citizen of the Republic of Korea who is unlawfully present in the United States and living in Rockville, Md., are each charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, attempted extortion and four counts of extortion. Each offense carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, if convicted.

According to the indictment, from January 2006 through June 2012, Yu and Yoo allegedly approached owners of doumi, restaurants and taxi businesses operating in the Annandale area of Fairfax County and threatened the owners with violence and beatings unless they paid a "tax" or "protection" money. The indictment alleges that Yu, Yoo, and other gang members attacked a taxi driver and threatened him with death, and after the beating instructed the victim to pay the demanded money. Another victim was threatened with further violence after being accused of calling the police about threats. Victims allegedly paid between $200 and $1,000 at a time and received threatening reminders each time another payment was due.

The investigation was conducted by HSI Washington, D.C. with assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.