Press Release
Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Strongarm Extortion Scheme
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. – A Brooklyn man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in for conspiring with others in a week-long strongarm extortion scheme in 2019, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today.
Endrit Kllogjeri, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was previously convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and attempt to commit Hobbs Act extortion following a one-week jury trial in June 2023 before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi. Judge Quraishi imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. Kllogjeri’s codefendant, Francis Garzon previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 121 months in prison by Judge Quraishi in January 2024.
According to documents filed in this case, statements made in court, and the evidence at trial:
From Dec. 1, 2019, through Dec. 9, 2019, Kllogjeri and Garzon conspired and attempted to extort a resident of Monmouth County, New Jersey and the resident’s son, who lived in Brooklyn, New York. The victim was allegedly threatened with physical harm if the victim did not recover a bag containing property allegedly valued at $100,000 from the victim’s son. Garzon and Kllogjeri further demanded an additional payment of $100,000 as “interest” for the son’s possession of the bag. Over the ensuing week, Garzon and Kllogjeri communicated regularly with the victim’s telephone, continuing to threaten the victim and the victim’s family. Garzon and Kllogjeri were arrested together in a vehicle on Dec. 9, 2019 in Brooklyn. Moments before the arrest, Garzon had attempted to send the victim a text message confirming the victim’s plan to pay the demand.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Kllogjeri to three years of supervised release following Kllogjeri’s release from prison.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction. He also credited the Marlboro Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Pezzullo; and the New York City Police Department for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Updated March 21, 2024
Topic
Violent Crime
Component