Karaoke Koreatown Thug Sentenced in Protection Racket
Among the prosecution’s court exhibits was a photo showing Daekun Cho sitting in the rear of a vehicle and flashing a gang sign. Photo provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In one case, he carjacked a victim after beating him with a baseball bat, according to a press release by the Central District of California’s United States Attorney’s Office. Cho must also pay $240,167 in restitution and a special assessment of $5,700.
Terrorizing and Extortion
“For years, this defendant terrorized merchants in Koreatown with his violent, shake-down schemes and intimidated victims into remaining silent,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a statement. “But working with our local partners, we uncovered and exposed this incorrigible racketeer. Extortionists who seek to profit through violence are on notice that we will use federal tools to hold them accountable, and the consequences will be severe.”
“Our commitment to reducing violent crime in our cities is reflected yet again with the result of this sentencing,” said Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI’s collaboration with our state and local partners is crucial to our mission of ensuring public safety in Southern California.”
“Bringing Order to The Jungle”
However, during the five-day trial, the defense claimed that Cho was trying to “bring an order to the jungle,” claiming that was his way to “help protect businesses from new start-ups that might cut into the market,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Authorities also showed text messages Cho sent to the victims, threatening that if they don’t pay him, they’ll “see the real demon,” “face the consequence,” “get beat up,” or be “punched,” or Cho would “come to see u” or “kick u out of ktown.”
This man used violent force to get money from the people operating karaoke places and doumi (karaoke hostess) drivers, taking “protection fees” from $100 to $1000 either in cash or via Venmo, as stated in the criminal complaint.
In May 2021, a doumi driver refused to pay and was beaten with a baseball bat until he lost consciousness, after which Cho and his accomplice stole his minivan, according to the complaint. The victim suffered a fractured arm, according to local news reporting.
One year later, in July 2022, Cho attacked a doumi driver who failed to follow Cho’s rules and shot toward the car, injuring one person.
In January 2023, Cho assaulted another man who stopped paying during COVID-19 restrictions, stole $1,000 from him, and threatened to kill him, as stated by the U.S. Attorney.
This all took place until police arrested Cho in March 2023. After the arrest, police found a 9mm firearm, a Glock 17 firearm, a partially built ghost gun, multiple loaded high-capacity magazines, ammunition for a revolver, an illegal knife, two metal baseball bats, and over $20,000 in cash.
Guilty of 55 Counts
Cho was found guilty of 55 counts of interference with commerce by extortion, one count of attempted interference with commerce by extortion, and one count of carjacking.
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