SAN FRANCISCO—A Las Vegas man was indicted by a federal grand jury for murder in the aid of racketeering in connection with the Chee Kung Tong organization based in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Thursday, January 26, the United States Department of Justice announced.

According to the Department of Justice, Wen Bing Lei, 50, is a known member of CKT, a predominately Chinese-American gang.

Lei is accused of aiding, abetting, and causing the death of Allen Leung, a former CKT gang leader.

On February 27, 2006 Lei allegedly conspired with other members from CKT to murder Leung in order to maintain and increase his position within CKT, officials noted.

CKT was established in the late 1800s, primarily for civic purposes surrounding the Chinese-American community.

The indictment alleges some CKT members are involved in illegal activities including narcotics distribution, assault, robbery, extortion, collection of unlawful debts, murder for hire, money laundering, trafficking in stolen goods, illegal firearms possession, and obstruction of justice, the United States Department of Justice indicated.

The indictment also states that CKT members protected and expanded their criminal operations by using violence and intimidation against those who acted against CKT and it’s members.

Lei is currently in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons on other charges and will be transported to the Northern District of California to make his first appearance in court with U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on Tuesday, January 31.

If convicted, Lei could face a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.