Man Found Guilty of Extortion

A gang member was convicted Wednesday of extorting money from an Orange County restaurateur, threatening to harm her children if she did not pay.

Johnny Zin Chan, 30, of Alhambra faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced March 15 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. He was found guilty of extortion charges stemming from repeated threats and acts of vandalism at the victim’s restaurant and home in 1989.

Federal prosecutor John J. Byrne Jr. declined to reveal details about the victim, because she continues to fear for her safety. The woman was so afraid that she paid Chan large amounts of money but eventually sold her home and moved her family to escape Chan, he said.

“She paid because she was afraid--afraid for herself and her children,” Byrne said. Chan’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment.

The victim reported the threats to police, and authorities initially pursued state court charges against Chan, Byrne said. Those charges were dismissed, however, after federal authorities decided to file extortion charges, which carry higher criminal penalties, he said.

Byrne said he believes such crimes may be on the increase, and asked victims to notify law enforcement officials for help.

Chan was charged in federal court after an investigation by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Crime Intelligence and Asian Gang units.