Loan sharks are notorious for being sneaky and predatory, but nothing compares to the levels that two loan sharks from Brooklyn and Staten Island went to in order to secure a profit. According to court records, the two suspects, Ppassim Elder and Wilbert Bryant, were part of an extortion scheme that eventually led to violence against their victims, one of whom was later murdered.

That tragic loss of life was the culmination of years of criminal behavior, according to Prosecutors. The 43-year-old and 58-year-old perpetrators entered a wholesaler distribution center in Queens back in October of 2017 after one of them loaned money to the business owner’s son. The duo demanded their payment while also escalating their intimidation tactics.

Eventually, the situation spiraled, and the business owner wound up fatally shot.

This wasn’t the first time that the 43-year-old took things too far. Prosecutors also allege that he extorted another victim and punched him in front of his young daughters, breaking his nose. He later admitted to doing so to “send a message.” In another situation, an elderly man lost over $30,000 when the duo tricked him into spending the money. The elderly man thought he was buying a car, which he never received. Another victim reportedly lost $150,000 in a bogus real estate deal.

Thankfully, the two loan sharks have finally been apprehended after years of terrorizing the community. As a result of their egregious actions, a federal judge sentenced them to a collective 250 years in prison.

A Life of Crime Doesn’t Pay

There’s a reason why criminal behavior escalates over time. Once you start to commit crimes, it can eventually become a lifestyle. The bad news is that a lifetime full of crimes doesn’t pay. Loan sharks are not legally authorized to commit violence, threaten, or intimidate customers simply because they owe them money. It’s also never appropriate for a loan shark to bring a weapon to a discussion about payment unless it’s for protection.

If you’ve committed a whole host of crimes and you’ve recently been arrested, then don’t make the mistake of thinking you shouldn’t defend yourself at all. It’s still in your best interests to talk to a lawyer about the charges against you and your best legal options.

Here at Bukh Law, we can help you determine your best course of action and how to defend yourself against criminal allegations. Schedule a consultation with our legal team now to learn more about how we can help.