Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Brenda Kinian, a 43-year-old resident of Guam originally from Weno, Chuuk, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison. The sentencing was announced by Shawn N. Anderson, the United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Kinian was found guilty of extortion by wrongful use of threatened force, violence, or fear, violating 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). She also received a concurrent sentence for aiding and abetting extortion under pretense of office and employment in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 872.
The court ordered Kinian to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term and pay $450,000 in restitution to her victims. Additionally, she faces a forfeiture money judgment of $371,896 and a mandatory assessment fee of $200.
Kinian's criminal activities took place between April 2017 and May 2018. During this period, she exploited an elderly Korean couple who owned a convenience store in Agat after they were victimized by robbery and violence. Living behind their store, Kinian deceived the couple into believing she had connections with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that could protect them from further harm.
Under this false pretense, Kinian extracted cash as protection money from the traumatized family. She falsely claimed that FBI agents were safeguarding them and that some agents had died protecting their daughter studying off-island. Her deception led the family to fear for their lives if they did not comply with her demands.
By late 2017, Kinian persuaded the couple that their daughter should return home for safety reasons. In May 2018, she took over operations at their store after convincing them it was unsafe for them in Agat.
United States Attorney Anderson commented on the case stating: "Kinian took advantage of this family in the most unconscionable way." He added that she preyed on their fears while pretending to offer protection through a federal agency.
FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill remarked: “Ms. Kinian impersonated an FBI Special Agent and spent years terrorizing an entire innocent family out of their life savings.” He emphasized that such acts of extortion will not be tolerated.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marivic P. David in Guam.
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