Nguyen sentenced for plot to murder rival gangster in 2012

Plotting to murder a rival gangster he had tried to take out years earlier has landed a Calgary man a 10 1/2-year prison term.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Beth Hughes agreed with Crown prosecutor Adam May that a lengthy period of time behind bars was warranted for Trong Nguyen.

But, Hughes also agreed with defence lawyer Adriano Iovinelli that Nguyen should be credited not only for pre-trial time behind bars, but for his onerous time on bail prior to his sentencing.

Iovinelli said combining Nguyen’s custody with the more than 2½ years Nguyen spent on strict bail conditions, including house arrest, his client had served about a seven-year term.

Hughes ruled Nguyen should be credited for the full seven years, leaving him 3 1/2 years to serve as of Monday.

The Crown had sought a 15-year sentence for Nguyen, and argued his time on bail should not count toward his sentence.

The prosecutor noted Nguyen plotted the murder of rival gangster (Fat) Vinh Truong in September 2012.

A police agent who was in on the plan tipped off investigators and they were able to thwart the killing, which was to take place at a cemetery east of the city, May said.

But he said neither that, nor the six-year sentence Nguyen received for shooting at Truong in 2006, deterred the offender from his murderous plot.

Police were able to thwart the planned cemetery murder by making their presence known at a ceremony Truong was attending.

“The facts in this case are extremely aggravating,” May said during sentencing arguments last month.

Once the planned murder was called off, Nguyen suggested shooting Truong outside the Calgary Courts Centre after learning of a scheduled appearance for the intended victim.

Hughes said Nguyen’s conduct would normally attract a sentence in the range sought by the prosecution, but credited the offender with making great strides toward his rehabilitation.

May said Nguyen was associated with the FOB gang, which at the time was in a deadly street war with the rival FK, of which Truong was a member.