 
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.
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