Four former law enforcement and military personnel have been charged in a federal court for allegedly conducting a fake raid to extort a businessman from Irvine, California.
The incident, which involved holding a family hostage to force the victim into signing over his business rights, was orchestrated at the request of a Chinese national, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Defendants and Their Backgrounds
The four men charged in this case include Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, 39, an Australian and former British servicemember who now owns a private investigation and asset recovery company; Steven Arthur Lankford, 68, from Santa Clarita, California, who owns a process service company and previously served as a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy; Matthew Phillip Hart, 41, a former member of the Australian military who currently runs a risk management company; and Glen Louis Cozart, 63, from Upland, California, who owns an investigation and security services company and also served as a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy.
The Alleged Scheme
Prosecutors allege that a Chinese national involved in a long-standing business dispute with the victim over the ownership of Jiangsi Sinorgchem Technology Company, a firm based in China, hired the defendants. This dispute, which has spanned over a decade, has led to multiple lawsuits in both China and the United States.
In 2018, the Chinese national reportedly contacted Max Turbett, asking for help in locating the victim’s assets after expressing frustration over the ongoing legal battles.
According to the indictment, the Chinese national suggested that the lawsuits were not “the smart way” to handle the issue and urged Turbett to find a way to “finish the problem.”
He allegedly promised that they could both “retire” if the plan succeeded. Although the Chinese national played a central role in initiating this scheme, he has not been indicted in this case.
Within six months, Turbett and the Chinese national allegedly created a settlement plan that would force the victim to transfer $36,972,386 in cash and shares of Jiangsi Sinorgchem. Turbett is accused of hiring Glen Cozart to assist in carrying out the plan. Cozart, in turn, allegedly brought in Steven Lankford, who had access to sensitive law enforcement information due to his position as a sheriff’s deputy at the time.
The Hostage Situation
On June 17, 2019, the four men allegedly posed as law enforcement officers and raided the victim’s home in Irvine. According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, the defendants detained the victim, his wife, and their two young children in a room for several hours. During this time, the men allegedly used physical violence and threats, including the threat of deportation and separation from their 4-year-old son, to coerce the victim into signing documents that would transfer his business rights.
After the victim reported the incident to Irvine police, Lankford allegedly used his connections and influence to cover up the raid, attempting to prevent any further investigation. However, the scheme came to light, leading to the federal charges against the four men.
Payment and Charges
The indictment also reveals that in November 2019, Turbett’s company was paid $419,813 for the services rendered during the raid. Following the payment, the Chinese national reportedly congratulated Turbett, saying, “Very good job.”
All four defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy against rights, attempted extortion, and deprivation of rights under color of law. If convicted, they each face between 10 to 20 years in prison for each count.
Prosecutors’ Statement
“This case is a stark reminder that individuals who use their positions and expertise to commit crimes will be held accountable. The defendants in this case allegedly used their law enforcement and military backgrounds to terrorize a family and coerce a businessman into surrendering his rights. Such conduct is not only illegal but deeply harmful to the trust we place in those who have served in positions of authority,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada in a public statement.