Drug and Gambling Ring Busted, Mount Pleasant Man Caught

Law enforcement broke up an international gambling and drug ring with local operations in Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, and 24 people face federal charges in connection with the illegal operation.

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced Thurs., June 2, that the defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.

A simple tip led to the year-long investigation, Santelle said, which culminated on Tues., May 24, with more than 150 law enforcement officers from multiple state and local agencies executing search warrants and arresting 23 people in Southeast Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Los Angeles and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. One person, from Los Angeles, is still at large.

The investigation discovered more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana were being sent by courier from Seattle and British Columbia to the Midwest, and that couriers were used to take gambling proceeds back to Seattle.

The defendants are accused of managing a sophisticated sports betting operation that generated tens of thousands of dollars each week. More than 35 people have been federally indicted in connection with the related investigations.

Officials have seized about $1.3 million, 25 pounds of marijuana, marijuana packaging materials, drug and gambling ledgers, two firearms, a bullet proof vest, jewelry worth more than $250,000 and vehicles worth more than $250,000.

Charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana are:

Hoa Q. Nguyen, 52, Mount Pleasant, WI
Vu Q. Nguyen, 28, Oak Creek, WI
Tu C. Ly, 25, Oak Creek, WI
Vinh V. Trinh, 44, Los Angeles, CA
An N. Nguyen, 34, Skokie, IL
Huy Han, 33, Skokie, IL
John Nguyen, 26, Chicago, IL
Hoang P. Nguyen, 32, Chicago, IL
Thanh K. Lai, 37, Chicago, IL
Phuc K. Tran, 34, Elk Grove Village, IL
Hien T. Tran, 32, Elk Grove Village, IL
Sam V. Hunyh, 34, Morton Grove, IL
Quan C. Hoac, 35, St. Cloud MN
Michael S. Harmon, 61, Seattle, WA
Sourideth Joe Chansomphou, 38, Milwaukee, WI
Tien D. Nguyen, 36, Milwaukee, WI
Reno A. Nguyen, 36, Franklin, WI

Charged with operating an illegal gambling business are:

Hoa Q. Nguyen, 52, Mount Pleasant, WI
Vu Q. Nguyen, 28, Oak Creek, WI
Tu C. Ly, 25, Oak Creek, WI
An. N Nguyen, 34, Skokie, IL
Huy Han, 33, Skokie, IL
Hoang P. Nguyen, 32, Chicago, IL
Thanh K. Lai, 37, Chicago, IL
Khanh N. Lam, 42, Franklin, WI
Laura T. Phan, 40, Wauwatosa, WI
Hoang Hoang, 49, Milwaukee, WI
Binh J. Nguyen, 38, Oak Creek, WI
Tony V. Tran, 43, Germantown, WI
Kevin S. Ho, 41, Mequon, WI

Charged with interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise are:

Jimmy D. Ho, Niles, IL
Quan C. Hoac, 35, St. Cloud, MN

Possible penalties include:

•  Conspiracy -- 10 years to life in prison, up to $10 million fine, 5 years to life on supervised release;
• Illegal gambling business -- 5 years prison, $250,000 fine, up to three years supervised release; and 
• Interstate travel -- 5 years prison, $250,000 fine, up to three years supervised release.