2002-10-09 -- Lin, Chang Pin -- Conviction -- News Release

Man Convicted in Connection with Loansharking and Kidnaping of Atlantic City Gambler

CAMDEN - Atlantic City-area resident Chang Ping Lin was convicted by a jury today on all four counts against him in connection with loansharking and kidnaping of a gambler in Atlantic City, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Lin, M/33, a/k/a "Lin Fung", of North Maryland Ave., Atlantic City, NJ, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to kidnap, one count of kidnaping, one count of making extortionate extensions of credit, and one count of collection of credit by extortionate means.

In February 2002, Chang Pin Lin loaned the victim, Feng Bin Ho, M/24, $20,000 with an interest rate of $100 per day for each $1,000 borrowed as the victim was gambling in an Atlantic City casino.

Chang Pin Lin drove to New York on March 25, 2002 to locate the victim and then transported the victim from New York to Atlantic City because the victim, while having returned the $18,000, did not pay the interest on the loan. When Chang Pin Lin returned to Atlantic City from New York with the victim on March 25, 2002, Lin locked the victim in a room in a house in Atlantic City where the victim was threatened with physical injury if he did not pay the interest on the loan. Chang Ping Lin held the victim captive in the locked room until March 26, 2002, when the victim escaped and sought help from the Atlantic City Police Department.

Conspiracy to kidnap and kidnaping carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Making extortionate extensions of credit and collecting extensions of credit by extortionate means carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 17, 2003, before U.S. District Judge Jerome Simandle.

U.S. Attorney Christie credited the Special Agents from the FBI in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Louie F. Allen, the Atlantic City Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Arthur Snellbaker and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Jeffrey S. Blitz, with developing the case against Chang Ping Lin and two other defendants.

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Defense: Lawrence Dubin, Esq.

New York City