5 former California highschool classmates are accused of operating a years-long gun trafficking scheme that allegedly funneled assault-style weapons and handguns into the state.
A federal grand jury indicted Harman Pahal, 21, Cameron Chouanmasay, 20, Colton Malone, 21, Julian Calderon, 20, and Jaskarn Batth, 20 — all of Fresno — on costs tied to an alleged firearms trafficking conspiracy that spanned from December 2024 via April 2026.
The 5 males, who prosecutors say met whereas attending Bullard Excessive College in Fresno, pleaded not responsible throughout their arraignment Monday.
In accordance with the indictment, the group repeatedly traveled from Fresno to Texas to illegally purchase firearms earlier than bringing them again into California to resell — regardless of not one of the defendants holding licenses to deal, manufacture or import firearms.
Prosecutors allege the group used social media to promote and promote the weapons, arranging a number of firearm gross sales via on-line platforms.
Throughout shopping for journeys in December 2024, the defendants allegedly bought a number of firearms, together with Draco-style AK-type pistols and different handguns, earlier than transporting them again to California for resale.
The indictment costs all 5 males with conspiracy, partaking within the enterprise of dealing and manufacturing firearms with out a license, interstate journey with the intent to unlawfully deal firearms and illegally importing firearms into California.
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If convicted, the defendants withstand 5 years in federal jail and a $250,000 advantageous on every of the conspiracy, unlicensed firearms dealing and illegal importation costs. In addition they withstand 10 years behind bars on the interstate firearms trafficking depend.
The investigation was led by Homeland Safety Investigations with help from the Fresno Police Division.
Federal officers famous the case is a part of the Homeland Safety Job Pressure (HSTF) initiative, a nationwide effort geared toward dismantling transnational felony organizations, gun trafficking operations and different organized felony networks.
One other excessive profile bust from the HSTF initiative occurred again in March when a five-month investigation led to the invention of practically 3,000 kilos of crystal meth in one of many largest drug seizures in US historical past after raids in Modesto, Turlock and Valley Springs.
