9 May – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California announced that Vu Nguyen, 36, of Santa Ana, CA, was sentenced to 29 years, 8 months imprisonment today for his convictions for conspiracy, interference with commerce by robbery, and use of a firearm in a crime of violence, resulting in death, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 1951(a), and 924(c) and (j).
The charges relate to the September 16, 1999, armed robbery at Chong Hing Jewelers in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the murder of Kenneth Bailey, a security guard who worked at the store. Nguyen was also ordered to pay $885,880 in restitution, representing the amount of watches stolen during the robbery. A jury convicted Nguyen of the offenses following a month long trial that concluded in February 2005. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Kent J. Dawson, United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.
Numerous witnesses testified at trial that Nguyen committed the offense with Anh The Duong, who shot and killed Mr. Bailey during the commission of the robbery. Duong is charged in connection with this offense, 15 other armed robberies, and 7 other homicides in a racketeering indictment filed in federal court in San Jose, California. Duong is facing the death penalty in that case. Twelve other defendants are also charged in that indictment.
Ricky Vong, 30, Lisbio Couto, 28, and Jerry Hu, 28, are fugitives. Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of any of these individuals should contact the FBI Office in San Francisco at 415-553-7400. Their photos are available online at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can/press. One defendant has pleaded guilty, and the remaining defendants are awaiting trial.
This prosecution is the result of a six year investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from numerous state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In announcing Nguyen’s sentencing, United States Attorney Kevin Ryan praised the work of Special Agents with the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the work of Special Assistant United States Attorneys Jane Shoemaker and James T. Chou of the Northern District of California, who tried the case before Judge Dawson.
A copy of this press release and related court filings may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can. Related court documents and information may be found on the District Court website at www.cand.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov.
All press inquiries to the U.S. Attorney’s Office should be directed to Luke Macaulay at (415) 436-6757 or by email at Luke.Macaulay3@usdoj.gov.
