A Time to Remember What I’Ve Ecstasy and Residents, Firefighters, Police Commemorate 9/11
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Chantilly ❖ Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes ❖ Oak Hill NORTHERN EDITION SEPT. 16-22, 2010 “Nine Years Later” 25 CENTS Newsstand Price Volume XXIV, NO. 37 From Drugs To Jail Two sentenced in narcotics conspiracy. By Bonnie Hobbs Centre View he last two members of a by Photos Tlocal, drug-trafficking ring that sold ecstasy and marijuana throughout the Wash- ington Metropolitan area have Deb Cobb now been sentenced in federal court. Centreville’s Paul Bang, 19, received 18 months in prison, and View /Centre 23-year-old Tam Phuong Tran of Chantilly was given 15 months. According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, from about February 2009 through Dan Jenuleson of the Sully Station II Neighborhood February 26, 2010, Bang and Tran Watch waves his flag while Aaron Moore, of Fairfax “did unlawfully, knowingly and in- The Firefighters of Station 38 placed 343 flags in front of plays the bagpipes, in an effort to encourage people tentionally” conspire with Quang the station to commemorate the 343 firefighters that died to attend the candlelight vigil about to start at Fire Huy Ho, Chen Chieh Yam, in New York City on September 11, 2001. Station 38. Jonathan Pai, “I truly Tofun Ali Ghasri, Jeff L. regret Tsu and others to distribute A Time to Remember what I’ve ecstasy and Residents, firefighters, police commemorate 9/11. done.” marijuana. The docu- By Bonnie Hobbs publicly our emotional bond with the songs that would be sung were — Paul Bang, ments further Centre View our first responders who protect all in honor of those who look af- convicted in stated that the us every day — the men and ter the community all the time. drug-distribu- co-conspirators arrying candles and women of the police and fire and They were also in support of fami- distributed “a tion con- lanterns, looking for- rescue departments,” said Leslie lies who lost loved ones in the trag- quantity of ec- ward to the evening’s Jenuleson. edy. spiracy stasy and mari- C program — yet think- “For the United States of “We are here to thank our offic- juana — the ing back to another Sept. 11, nine America, there will be no forget- ers and rescue personnel for their Deputy Chief Michael Reilly combined total of which was years before — residents, ting of the tragic events of 9/11,” sacrifice and service,” she added. of the Fairfax County Fire equivalent to between 100 and firefighters and police gathered she said. “We will remember the “Please keep them in your and Rescue department 400 kilograms of marijuana.” Fed- Saturday night in Centreville for fire and ash, the last phone calls, thoughts and prayers.” shares some thoughts and eral authorities said these acts a 9/11 remembrance. the funerals of the victims. We See A Time to, Page 11 memories during the vigil. were done “willfully and know- Fire Station 38 hosted the event, have a memory of tragedy and ingly and with the specific intent organized by Sully Station II resi- shock, of loss and of mourning. to violate the law.” 9-16-10 home in Requested dents Dan and Leslie Jenuleson, But we also have a memory of material. sensitive Time The DEA, Virginia State Police and about 85 citizens attended. bravery from the heroes who gave Postmaster: Attention and the Fairfax and Montgomery Bagpiper Aaron Moore of Fairfax their lives to try to save others PERMIT #322 PERMIT County police departments performed, as did the choir from from this tragedy.” MD Easton, worked together on the investiga- St. Veronica Catholic Church in Jenuleson said the American PAID tion. Then on March 25, a federal Postage U.S. Chantilly. flags and candles people brought STD PRSRT grand jury indicted Bang, Tran and “We wanted to come together to with them to the ceremony, plus See Two Sentenced, Page 2 show our support and to express the prayers that would be said and www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Centre View North ❖ September 16-22, 2010 ❖ 1 News HE’S EARNED THEM… YOU DESERVE THEM His commitment to education is but one of the many reasons he is the leader in the Centre-ville Marketplace. Sentenced in Narcotics Conspiracy It gives him an advantage, which means From Page 1 you have an advantage. ment. But, he added, Bang couldn’t provide a lot of the others. Bang was charged with conspiracy to information since he was so low on the totem pole GRI, Graduate Realtors Institute distribute ecstasy and marijuana, and Tran was among the members of the conspiracy. Furthermore, charged with money laundering. said Salvedo, “He’s different from the others because CRS, Certified Residential Specialist Regarding her offense, the indictment stated that of his minimal role and his youth. He was 17 or had ABR, Accredited Buyers Representative Tran and another man conspired together and with just turned 18 when these crimes were committed.” Associate Broker others to “conceal and disguise the nature, location, Regarding mitigating factors on Bang’s behalf, the CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert source, ownership and control of the proceeds” of attorney said Bang’s father left home and didn’t sup- the drug-trafficking operation. port his family. Bang’s mother then struggled to pay e-PRO, Certification for Internet Professionalism Bang pleaded guilty May 7 in federal court and the bills, working two jobs. Salvedo also stressed that Tran entered her guilty plea on May 27. Tran re- Bang became a father figure to his younger brother, turned to court Aug. 20 and, at that time, Judge T.S. looked after him and helped him with his homework. Ellis III sentenced her to 15 months in prison. He At one point, Bang worked at UPS. But when he gave her credit for time already served since her lost his job, said Salvedo, that led to his drug use and CERTIFIED arrest and placed her on three subsequent involvement in the DISTRESSED Experience… PROPERTY years of supervised release. drug-distribution conspiracy. “He the Difference! EXPERT© Bang’s sentencing was last Fri- “Drugs are a poison. is incredibly remorseful for what day, Sept. 10 and, although the he did,” said the attorney. “He told See Complete School Information prosecutor wanted him to serve They threaten to rend me he’s close to many high- & VIRTUAL TOUR at www.seln4u.com more than three years behind the fabric of society.” schoolers and wants to speak to $474,900 $345,000 bars, Ellis gave him half that kids at high schools about not us- SEQUOIA COUNTRY amount of time. — T.S. Ellis III, U.S. District ing drugs.” FARMS CLUB Charming home MANOR Since Bang had been convicted Court Judge Salvedo said his client had al- with soaring Charming home of petit larceny as a juvenile — space & generous ready served several months in jail room sizes! Great flooded with and was still on probation when he became involved for his crime. He then suggested to Ellis that a sen- lot backs to natural light! woods! Custom Nestled on in the drug conspiracy — his criminal history fig- tence of 12 months and a day [so Bang would still go Trex deck. Dramatic 2-story foyer. Newly finished large, level lot with huge, fenced backyard. Rear ured into the computation of how long he should be to prison, not jail] would be “more than appropri- hdwd floor in foyer, center hall & powder room. patio. Widened concrete driveway. Brick front walk Spacious, formal LR & DR. FR w/soaring vaulted incarcerated. Contending that it could indicate his ate.” ceiling, skylights & masonry brick raised-hearth FP. & front stoop. Hardwood floors. Sunny LR w/2 bay FR flows into the huge kitchen featuring tons of windows & skylight. Formal DR steps down to the likelihood of committing future crimes, Assistant U.S. But Daly didn’t agree. She said Ghasri, Ho and Bang cabinet space & breakfast area with SGD to deck. sunroom w/vaulted ceiling & bay window. Kit. Attorney Mary Daly said, “The government believes all played similar roles and — although Bang played Four upper lvl BRs, all w/vaulted ceilings. Master BR w/tile floor & gas cooking. MBR w/private BA. a sentence of 37 months — which is below the [fed- w/dressing area & full, private BA. 20’x15’ fourth BR Lower lvl w/rec room featuring full wall brick FP a minimal part in the ecstasy distribution — the gov- was a builder’s option & features cathedral ceiling eral sentencing] guidelines — is reasonable.” w/skylights. Upper hall balcony overlooks FR. Walk- w/new insert w/gas logs. Close to schools, shopping ernment wanted “to avoid unwarranted sentencing out basement w/rec room & den. FX7421911 & commuter routes. No HOA! FX7436891 However, before making up his mind completely, disparity, and Ghasri and Ho each got 37 months.” $347,500 $799,900 Ellis asked Bang if he wanted to address the court, Daly also noted Tran’s 15-month sentence, Yam’s CENTRE RIDGE VIRGINIA and the young man — who’d turned 19, the day 170 months, Tsu’s 48 months and Pai’s 108 months. Pristine, RUN before — did. “I just feel so sorry and ashamed of Ho received 36 months. Yam and Pai were given 14 Private Garage, End myself,” he said. “This is the beginning of my adult- years and nine years, respectively, because Yam was unit TH! 3 1-acre lot! finished Backs to hood and I’ve already made a rough start.” the leader and Pai used a gun during the drug deal- levels. Faces trees. With his mother and other relatives in the court- ing. woods & backs to common area.