A man accused of being the "kingpin" of a multimillion-dollar ecstasy-dealing ring is fighting to be released from custody pending trial, but prosecutors say that shouldn't happen, accusing the man of threatening the life of a federal prosecutor.
Long Bao Ngo, 31, appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday to challenge an order by a federal magistrate judge, which determined he was a danger to the community and should be held in custody pending trial.
Federal prosecutors say Ngo is a hard-core high figure in an Asian gang with a history of violent crimes. Ngo has been charged with attempted murder in a gang-related shooting and with a home-invasion robbery. Both crimes were reduced in state court. Prosecutors also point to Ngo's body, which is covered with tatoos. One tatoo depicts a gang member flashing a gang sign and brandishing a semi-automatic weapon.
Ngo's attorney, Stephen McCaughey, said Ngo's violent gang life is in his past, pointing out that his violent crimes were back in 1994. Ngo served prison time after being convicted of dealing ecstasy in 2004, but McCaughey said his client has since gotten married, has a son, owns a home and operates a dry-cleaning service in Park City.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Lund said Ngo was arrested last July on suspicion of operating an ecstasy-dealing ring that dealt more than 100,000 tablets to area communities with a street value of up to $2 million. At the time of his arrest, Lund said Ngo was still on probation.
Federal agents also found loaded guns at Ngo's home, including a handgun in a night stand, another hidden in the kitchen among packages of ramen noodles and an assault rifle in a bedroom closet.
McCaughey said all those weapons belonged to Ngo's wife, who has a concealed-carry permit. Lund said it didn't matter who the weapons belonged to because Ngo is a convicted felon and should not be around guns.
Lund also pointed out that his own life was threatened by Ngo, which caused him personal concern. According to U.S. marshals, after his detention hearing last July, Ngo reportedly threatened Lund, saying "he's f-ing dead."
McCaughey said his client denies making the threat, adding he's not "stupid" enough to threaten a federal prosecutor.
U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart said he will issue a written decision at a later date.
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