West Islip Man with Alleged Gang Ties Charged with Extortion

A West Islip man allegedly belonging to a subchapter of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang was indicted on extortion charges in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday.

According to authorities, Peter Kanakis, 47, a member of the Demon Knights, violently threatened two victims in an attempt to collect loan-sharking debts owed to Gambino associate James Ferrara, 69, of Brooklyn, and Westies street gang member Daniel Hanley, 47, of New Jersey.

In one instance, a victim was allegedly threatened with brass knuckles and a baseball bat if he did not make payments on a loan. In December 2011, the driver of a vehicle with the same color, make and model registered to Kanakis shot at a victim as the victim was entering his car to leave for work, according to a government memo.

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“With alleged involvement of the Gambinos, Westies, and Hell’s Angels, this case hit the trifecta of loansharking and extortion," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said Tuesday in a statement. "I want to commend the NYPD detectives and federal agents and prosecutors who brought the suspects to justice.”

Kanakis, Ferrara and Hanley pleaded not guilty Tuesday. They are being held without bail.

Kanakis faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted on all charges.