Two former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and two ex-foreign military officials are facing charges for allegedly threatening a Chinese national and his family with violence and deportation during a fake raid at his Orange County home five years ago, federal prosecutors announced on Monday. The accused individuals demanded $37 million and ownership of the man’s business during the incident.
The four men are set to be arraigned on charges including conspiracy to commit extortion, attempted extortion, conspiracy against rights, and deprivation of rights under color of law. According to authorities, the group arrived at the victim’s residence in Irvine on June 17, 2019, where they reportedly confined him, his wife, and their children in a room for several hours, confiscated their phones, and coerced him to comply with their demands under threat of deportation.
The victim, identified as a legal permanent resident, was physically assaulted and coerced into relinquishing his stake in Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd., a Chinese company specializing in rubber chemicals. Prosecutors revealed that the businessman’s Chinese business partner, who was not indicted, funded the staged raid due to prolonged legal disputes between the two business partners in the US and China.
Steven Arthur Lankford, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department retiree, allegedly used department resources to gather information on the victim before driving the other three men to the victim’s residence in an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle, presenting himself as a law enforcement officer. Another charged individual, Glen Louis Cozart, formerly a sheriff’s deputy, has also been implicated in the case.
The accused individuals were commissioned by Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, a British citizen and former British military member, hired by the Chinese businesswoman who financed the fabricated raid. Additionally, Matthew Phillip Hart, an Australian ex-military member, is also facing charges in connection with the incident.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the importance of holding public officials, including law enforcers, accountable and condemned the abuse of power by the accused individuals. If found guilty, each of the four men could potentially serve up to 20 years in federal prison for their involvement in the case.
