Chong

MEMORANDUM **

Peter Chong appeals his conviction on extortion counts stemming from his involvement with the Wo Hop To gang in Northern California. Chong also appeals the district court’s evidentiary rulings. We affirm the district court on all issues. 1

Chong challenges on insufficient evidence grounds his conviction on the extortion-related counts. Evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction if, “viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Nelson, 137 F.3d 1094, 1103 (9th Cir.1998). The jury heard testimony from witnesses who indicated they had been subjected to extortion, providing sufficient evidence for the jury to convict Chong on these counts.

Chong further challenges the admission of expert testimony by Oakland Police Department Sergeant Harry Hu, who described the structure of Asian organized crime groups with a presence in the Bay Area. “Expert testimony on the structure of criminal enterprises is allowed to help the jury understand the scheme and assess a defendant’s involvement in it.” United States v. Patterson, 819…