Maryland Auto Glass Shop Owner Arrested for Alleged Involvement in Extortion Conspiracy
November 16, 2010

Amir Milijkovic, the owner of Prestige Auto Glass in College Park, Md., has been indicted for allegedly "conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right in a scheme involving the transport and distribution of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol." He was charged alongside six other defendants.

According to the indictment, which was issued on October 14 but was unsealed yesterday, the charges are related to state and federal taxes governing the sale of cigarettes and alcohol. Milijkovic, 39, and the others are alleged to have "knowingly, willfully and unlawfully combine, conspire, confederate and agree with each other, others and public officials … to obstruct, delay and affect commerce … by extortion in the form of public officials … the property of others with their consent and not due to the officials and their offices."
Specifically, the indictment charges that the defendants agreed that Milijkovic and others would pay police officers in exchange for them using their official authority to ensure the safe transport and distribution of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol in Maryland and Virginia, according to a statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Federal attorneys are seeking the forfeiture of $3.5 million, 25 properties, 13 vehicles and 84 bank accounts that allegedly are proceeds of crimes or were used to facilitate crimes through the indictment. Though several specific addresses are listed in the case, the location of Prestige, 8139 College Park Avenue, is not included specifically in court documents.

Milijkovic and his fellow defendants also face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Though Milijkovic's company is not named specifically in the indictment, information from the Maryland Department of Assessments and
Taxation list him as the agent of the Prestige Auto Glass. According to information from the state agency, Prestige Auto Glass registered with the agency in December 2003, but its status shows as "forfeited," which, according to the state website, means its "existence has been ended by the state for some delinquency.".

An unidentified Prestige Auto Glass representative advised glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine by phone this afternoon, "We are open for business, but I have no comment at this time."

Milijkovic currently is in custody, according to information from the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Calls to the U.S. States attorney's office for further comment had not been returned at press time.

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to AGRR magazine.