http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/87184997.html17 suspected Hmong gang members indicted in federal court
By John Diedrich of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: March 9, 2010
A Hmong gang accused of operating across state lines, selling an array of drugs and shooting rivals by the dozens has been indicted in federal court in Milwaukee, according to court documents.
Seventeen members of the gang, known as Menace of Destruction, were indicted after authorities raided five homes, in Milwaukee, West Allis, Oshkosh and Appleton.
The searches yielded guns, drugs, cash and documents related to narcotics sales, records show.
The gang was responsible for at least 80 shootings over a five-year period, with the gunmen often targeting rivals, especially the Asian Crips. The shootings were gang initiations done by younger members of the gang, documents say.
To avoid detection, members rotated guns that had been used in Milwaukee shootings with groups in California, Minnesota and elsewhere in Wisconsin, documents say.
The organization's members lived in Minnesota's Twin Cities and at least seven cities in Wisconsin, documents say. They sold methamphetamin
es, ecstasy, cocaine and high-grade marijuana.
The gang is tight-knit, according to the documents, and authorities had difficulty developing sources within the organization.
"Often, potential confidential sources and citizen witnesses are reluctant to talk to law enforcement due to fear for their personal safety and shame within the Hmong community. While some Hmongs involved in criminal activity have been willing to provide information as confidential informants, few have been willing to testify in court against members of their communities and families," the affidavit says.
The investigation started in September 2007 and included a federal wiretap. The Milwaukee Police Department, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies conducted the investigation.
The defendants are:
Chieng "Moon" Cheng Vang, Leng Moua, Chao Vang, Kai "Budda" Vang and Cher "Split" Vang, all of St. Paul, Minn.; Kon "Romeo" Meng Yang of Minneapolis; B.J. "Bizzo" Lee of Eau Claire; Chee Wanger Vang, Yang "8-ball" Houa Lor and Kevin Kutschera, all of Milwaukee; Angela Koerner of Neenah; Nou Ae Thao and Phia "Jerry" Vang, both of Appleton; Chin "Hardy" Xiong of Oak Creek; Thai "Mr. C" Yang of Green Bay; Pahoua Vang of Waukesha; and Dylan Black of Germantown.
The defendants' ages range from 19 to 34.
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