Armenian Power Associate Sentenced To More Than 13 Years In Federal Prison For Racketeering Conspiracy

LOS ANGELES – An associate of the Armenian Power gang, who was convicted at trial for his role in a racketeering conspiracy that included stealing personal and financial information of elderly bank customers for accounts valued at more than $25 million, was sentenced today to 160 months in prison.

Andranik Aloyan, 41, of Hollywood, was sentenced by United States District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez. In addition to the prison term of more than 13 years, Judge Gutierrez ordered Aloyan to pay $3,516,711 in restitution.

A federal jury in February found guilty Aloyan guilty of racketeering conspiracy, attempted bank fraud, access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Aloyan possessed and used stolen personal and financial information belonging to more than 80, mostly elderly bank customers, whose accounts combined to be worth more than $25 million.

Aloyan was among 90 individuals charged three years ago in two indictments that alleged a variety of criminal activities associated with the Armenian Power gang.  One indictment accused 27 defendants, including Aloyan, of participating in the Armenian Power racketeering conspiracy that involved illegal activities such as sophisticated bank fraud, identity theft, debit-card skimming, manufacturing counterfeit checks and money laundering. Some of the defendants also were involved in violent crimes, such as kidnapping, extortion and firearms offenses, along with other crimes including drug trafficking and illegal gambling. Eighty-five defendants have previously been convicted or pleaded guilty to the charges, including 26 defendants who were convicted of or pleaded guilty to racketeering charges.

According to court documents, the Armenian Power street gang formed in the East Hollywood district of Los Angeles in the 1980s. The gang’s membership consisted primarily of individuals of Armenian descent, as well as of other countries within the former Soviet bloc. Armenian Power has been designated under California state law as a criminal street gang and is believed to have more than 250 documented members, as well as hundreds of associates. According to court documents, Armenian Power members and associates regularly carry out violent criminal acts, including murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, robberies, extortions and witness intimidation to enrich its members and associates and preserve and enhance the power of the criminal enterprise.

The cases were investigated by the Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, which is comprised of the FBI, the Glendale Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Burbank Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department,RS – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service.

The cases are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Release No. 14-108