Brooklyn Man Receives Over 10 Years in Prison for Extortion Conspiracy

121-Month Sentence for Week-Long Strongarm Extortion Scheme in 2019.

MORRISTOWN, NJ – Francis A. Garzon, a 35-year-old Brooklyn resident, was sentenced today to 121 months in prison for his role in a 2019 strongarm extortion scheme, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Garzon had previously entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and attempt to commit Hobbs Act extortion. U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi handed down the sentence in Trenton federal court.

The court documents and statements made during the hearing revealed that from December 1 to 9, 2019, Garzon and his codefendant, Endrit Kllogjeri, conspired and attempted to extort a Monmouth County, New Jersey resident, and the resident’s son in Brooklyn, New York. The victim was threatened with physical harm unless a bag allegedly valued at $100,000 was recovered from the victim’s son. Additionally, Garzon and Kllogjeri demanded $100,000 as "interest" for the son's possession of the bag. Garzon admitted in court to brandishing a revolver to intimidate the victim. Throughout the week, Garzon and Kllogjeri maintained threatening communication with the victim, ultimately leading to their arrest on December 9, 2019, in Brooklyn.

Judge Quraishi also ordered Garzon to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

The investigation leading to Garzon's sentencing was conducted by the FBI, under Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark. The U.S. Attorney also acknowledged the assistance of the Marlboro Township Police Department, led by Chief Peter Pezzullo, and the New York City Police Department.

Garzon's codefendant, Endrit Kllogjeri, was found guilty following a jury trial in June 2023 and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 21, 2024.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton represented the government in this case. This sentencing marks a significant outcome in the fight against organized crime and extortion activities.