Federal prosecutors say five Fresno men are at the center of a years-long gun-trafficking scheme that allegedly funneled weapons across state lines for resale in the Central Valley. A federal grand jury indictment returned June 25 names five former Bullard High School classmates and accuses them of repeatedly traveling to Texas to buy firearms that were then brought back to California. The defendants have been arraigned, entered not-guilty pleas, and are due back in court for a status conference on Oct. 28, 2026. Prosecutors say the investigation is still active.
What prosecutors allege
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California, a federal grand jury handed up a four-count indictment charging Harman Pahal, 21, Cameron Chouanmasay, 20, Colton Malone, 21, Julian Calderon, 20, and Jaskarn Batth, 20, with conspiracy and related firearms offenses. Prosecutors say the alleged scheme ran from December 2024 through April 2026 and involved unlicensed dealing, interstate travel to unlawfully deal firearms, unlawful manufacturing, and unlawful importation of firearms into California.
How investigators say the operation worked
Court records and media reports indicate the defendants used social media to advertise gun sales and repeatedly traveled from Fresno to Texas to acquire weapons, including Draco-style AK-type pistols, that were later transported back to California for resale. CBS Sacramento notes the indictment ties planning and sales activity to the same December 2024 through April 2026 window cited by prosecutors.
Local enforcement and arraignment
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the case, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting. The Fresno Bee reports the five defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Guy Castillo, where each entered a not-guilty plea.
Penalties and next steps
If convicted, each conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, while the interstate travel count is punishable by up to 10 years, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. A status conference is set for Oct. 28, 2026. The case is still in its early stages, the charges are only allegations, and all five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Why this matters locally
Federal trace data show Fresno among California's top cities for firearm recoveries and list Texas among the source states for guns recovered in the state, underscoring the kind of interstate flow prosecutors say they are targeting in this case. The 2023 "Firearms Trace Data: California" report from the ATF places Fresno high on the list of recovery cities and identifies Texas as a notable source state for firearms recovered in California.
