A federal grand jury in Fresno returned an indictment Thursday against three members of the Mongolian Boys Society, charging them with conspiring to commit murder for a gang shooting that killed four Hmong men, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said.
“Federal and local law enforcement are committed to stopping violent criminal organizations like this one,” said Scott in a news release. “We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to keep our communities safe from gang violence.”
The indictments stem from the deadly shootings on Nov. 17, 2019, during a football-watching party at Fresno home near the airport.
Killed in the barrage of bullets: 23-year-old Xy Lee, 31-year-old Phia Vang, 38-year-old Kou Xiong, and 40-year-old Kalaxang Thao.
In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, Neej Xiong, uncle of shooting victim Kou Xiong, prays in front of a memorial during a candlelight vigil in Fresno. The close-knit Hmong community was in shock after gunmen burst into the backyard gathering and shot 10 men, killing four. “We are right now just trying to figure out what to do, what are the next steps. How do we heal, how do we know what’s going on,” said community leader Bobby Bliatout. (Larry Valenzuela/The Fresno Bee via AP)
Three Men Served as Lookouts for the Shooters: Indictment
According to court documents, Fresno residents Pao Vang, 30; Jhovanny Delgado, 19; and Johnny Xiong, 25, were members of the MBS, a criminal organization active in Fresno and Visalia.
Thursday’s indictment found that MBS members and associates held a Nov. 17 meeting and conspired to commit a retaliatory murder.
Vang, Delgado, and Xiong, who attended the meeting, were designated as lookouts. They positioned themselves on street corners near the target residence to report the presence of law enforcement to the shooters or other gang members. Subsequently, the MBS shooters killed four and injured at least six others.
Vang, Delgado, and Xiong were charged by criminal complaint on Jan. 2 and have been detained in federal custody since that date.
If convicted, they face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Related Story: Details of Hmong Murder Suspects and How Police Caught Them
Fresno County DA Charged the Four Alleged Murderers
On Jan. 2, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Ger Lee, 27; Anthony Montes, 27; Porge Kue, 26; and Billy Xiong, 25, with special circumstances murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and multiple counts of attempted murder.
“In conjunction with the ongoing criminal case in the Fresno County Superior Court, today’s news that a federal grand jury returned an indictment is a testament to the hard work of the Fresno Police Department and that of our federal partners,” said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. “Collaboratively, we will do all we can to hold to account the perpetrators of this horrific offense and to seek justice for the victims and survivors.”
The Victims
Victims from Nov. 17, 2019, shooting, left to right: Phia Vang, Kalaxang Thao, Kou Xiong, Xy Lee. (GV Wire File)
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