A Fresno man is now facing federal charges for illegal arms dealings, after a grand jury indicted him on multiple counts related to firearm sales. Bee Her, 20, was charged with unlawfully transferring firearms and operating without a proper license, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
Undercover agents reportedly bought 10 firearms from her in three separate exchanges, some of which included short-barreled rifles—a serious infringement on the National Firearms Act. Her indictment also found him in possession of multiple privately manufactured firearm receivers and machine gun conversion devices intended for sale. In the sting operation, when an undercover agent mentioned the weapons would cross borders into Mexico, she continued the sale unperturbed.
The Department of Justice's report detailed the collaborative effort in this case involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium, and the California Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes was assigned to prosecute the case.
She faces a serious stretch of time if convicted—up to 15 years in prison and a possible fine up to $250,000. It's worth noting, however, that these alarming figures are only tentative; any sentencing would ultimately reflect the court's discretion after considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Meanwhile, Her maintains his presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is a part of "Operation Take Back America" and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), two initiatives aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime. According to a statement on May 26, 2021, from the Department of Justice, the strategy emphasizes community trust, supporting organizations that prevent violence, strategic enforcement, and measuring results to make neighborhoods safer.
