Three More Sentenced in Cigarette Smuggling Case
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Kim Nguyen, 48, Hoa Van Huynh, 60, and Thuy Nguyen, 62, all of Lincoln, were sentenced on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in Lincoln, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for their involvement in the smuggling, possession and distribution of contraband Vietnamese cigarettes into Lincoln and Nebraska City, between July 2010 and May 2012.
Kim Nguyen’s sentence included the requirement that she serve six months house arrest, three years of supervised release, complete 120 hours of community service and pay a fine of $1,500.00. The court also ordered Ms. Nguyen to pay restitution in the amount of $15,267.35 to the Nebraska Department of Revenue and the United States Department of Revenue Tobacco and Tax Bureau. Hoa Van Huynh’s included six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, 120 hours of community service and payment of restitution to the Nebraska Department of Revenue and the United States Department of Revenue Tobacco and Tax Bureau. Thuy Nguyen’s sentence included a fine of $1,000.00 to be paid within six months of the date of sentence.
A fourth defendant, Teo Van Phan was sentenced on November 9, 2012, for his part in the criminal activity. He was placed on a three year term of supervised release, including six months of home confinement, and required to complete 120 hours of community service, and pay restitution in the amount of $15, 267.35.
One other defendant, Tang (Janny) Nguyen was convicted on November 7, 2012, for possession of contraband cigarettes. Her sentencing is scheduled for February 22, 2013. A sixth defendant, Nhu Van Phan, was acquitted by the jury following the seven-day jury trial.
This matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicle Fraud Unit, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Otoe County Sheriff’s Office.
