Federal charges filed against Asian families in Western Washington for murder and burglary

LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle have filed charges against two men accused of targeting Asian families across Western Washington in a series of violent burglaries and a murder in the summer of 2022.

Kevin Thissel, 28, and Christopher Johnson, 23, were part of a gang that broke into homes in the middle of the night and bound families with zip ties while their houses were ransacked, according to an unsealed indictment filed in U.S. District Court.

The prosecution alleges that Thissel and Johnson were involved in the murder of Irah Mercel Sok in Everett on August 19, 2022.

“The primary motive of this band of robbers was money – they stole whatever valuables they could loot from these homes. Tragically, they shot and killed a young mother while her seven-year-old child lay in bed next to her,” said Tessa Gorman, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “This indictment seeks to hold them accountable for the terror they brought to our community.”

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Thissel and Johnson are each charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

According to Gorman, this is the first RICO indictment in the Western District of Washington in 17 years.

Gorman added that Thissel and Johnson are the suspected leaders of the gang, but that federal and local investigators are actively working to find other members involved in the robberies and murder.

“These men targeted specific families that they robbed,” Gorman said. “To create a climate of fear, these men broke into their homes in the middle of the night. They were dressed in black, posing as police officers and had guns drawn.”

Both Thissel and Johnson were already in custody at the time of their indictment.

Thissel was arrested and charged in Tacoma earlier this year on suspicion of shooting another man during a boxing match.

Johnson was in custody in Snohomish County on domestic violence charges. He appeared in U.S. District Court Thursday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Collodi, who heads the FBI's Seattle field office, said investigators deployed specialized teams to identify phone records that he said provided “irrefutable evidence” of the defendant's involvement in the robberies.

“In these crimes, children were detained and present during the violence, including the death of one child's mother. I am proud of the work of our investigators and prosecutors to ensure those responsible are held accountable by building a case across jurisdictions and with multiple law enforcement partners,” Collodi said in a statement.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Thissel and Johnson are linked to home burglaries in Mount Vernon, Burien, Kent and Everett:

• May 24, 2022 – armed robbery of a family in Mount Vernon, Washington.
• May 24, 2022 – the kidnapping of a young boy in connection with the Mount Vernon robbery.
• July 14, 2022 – armed robbery of a couple in Burien, Washington.
• July 28, 2022 – armed robbery of a woman in Kent, Washington.
• July 28, 2022 – Kidnapping of Kent robbery victim to force her to withdraw cash from ATM machines.
• August 19, 2022 – the armed robbery of a couple and their child in Everett.
• August 19, 2022 – Murder of one of the victims of the Everett robbery.

Snohomish County District Attorney Jason Cummings said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that he expects murder charges to be filed in Snohomish County Superior Court in addition to the federal charges.

The federal RICO charges can carry a sentence of life in prison.

Police investigated dozens of burglaries targeting Asian families in Western Washington in 2022 and 2023. Earlier this year, the King County District Attorney's Office filed hate crime charges against two men accused of participating in violent burglaries targeting Asian families.

RELATED: Police concerned after 'recent spike' in South Seattle home burglaries targeting Asians

Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson read a statement from Irah Sok's family at the press conference.

“Dear Detective Conley and team,

We are overwhelmed with gratitude and are trying to find the right words to express our heartfelt thanks and the extraordinary efforts made in solving this case involving our beloved Irah Sok. This was one of the darkest and most painful chapters of our lives and your unwavering commitment has brought a glimmer of light into our deepest despair.

Every day was a struggle filled with fear and uncertainty. Detective Conley and her team showed tireless dedication and compassion. They not only gave us answers, but also brought us profound relief. The emotional toll of this journey was enormous and their hard work was a source of hope and strength during these difficult times.

Your efforts have brought us more than just a solution. You have given us a chance to heal and find peace in our grief. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for your tireless pursuit of justice, for your understanding, and for the difference you have made in our lives. We will forever cherish your kindness and dedication.”