NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men were sentenced to 202 years and 40 years in prison respectively for their role in extorting a Queens business and murdering its owner in 2017, according to the Department of Justice.
Ppassim Elder, 43, and Wilbert Bryant, 58, had been extorting a family-owned business in Ozone Park when, during an attempted intimidation, Bryant and two co-conspirators fatally shot owner Hani Kasem.
Elder had loaned Hani Kasem’s son money for their family business — a wholesale distribution center called Garden Valley Distributors.
The son was unable to repay the debt and Elder embarked on a campaign of intimidation against the man and his family.
During one attempt to intimidate the family on Oct. 23, 2017, Bryant and two co-conspirators brandished a gun, pistol-whipped and son and fatally shot Kasem in the face.
“The defendants are guilty of multiple crimes of violence and fraud that victimized many persons, including the patriarch of a Queens family who was gunned down in his place of business,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “The defendants will deservedly serve lengthy prison sentences for their ruthless and vicious conduct.”
Elder and Bryant were convicted of extortion and fraud charges in October 2021.
A Brooklyn federal judge sentenced Elder to 202 years in prison and Bryant to 40 years in prison on Wednesday.
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