A Woodland Hills man, Daekun Cho, was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison for extorting karaoke bar owners and drivers in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Cho physically attacked victims who refused to pay, including carjacking one victim after beating him with a baseball bat. He was found guilty of 55 federal counts of extortion, attempted extortion, and carjacking. Cho demanded protection money from karaoke businesses and doumi drivers monthly, with payments ranging from $100 to $1,000.
Cho’s violent schemes and intimidation tactics terrorized Koreatown merchants for years. In one incident, Cho and an accomplice beat a victim with baseball bats and stole his minivan, causing the victim to close his business and leave California. Another victim was shot at while dropping off doumis at a karaoke bar after refusing to pay Cho more money.
When Cho was arrested, he was found in possession of firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and an illegal knife. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Cho was an incorrigible racketeer who used fear and violence to extort money from his victims. Cho’s actions have been exposed, and he has been held accountable for his crimes.
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