FRESNO, CA – Five former Fresno high school classmates are facing serious federal charges after allegedly running a years-long operation that funneled illegal assault weapons from Texas into California.
The Conspiracy and Arrests
A federal grand jury indicted five Fresno residents, all former classmates at Bullard High School, for their involvement in a firearms trafficking conspiracy spanning from December 2024 through April 2026.
The defendants, who all pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Monday, include:
- Harman Pahal, 21
- Colton Malone, 21
- Cameron Chouanmasay, 20
- Julian Calderon, 20
- Jaskarn Batth, 20
The Texas-to-California Pipeline
According to federal prosecutors, the group repeatedly traveled from Fresno to Texas to illegally purchase firearms, including Draco-style AK-type pistols and various handguns.
Despite none of the defendants holding federal licenses to deal, manufacture, or import firearms, they allegedly transported the weapons back to California. Investigators state the men used social media platforms to advertise the firearms and arrange local sales.
Severe Federal Penalties
All five men have been charged with conspiracy, engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, interstate travel with intent to deal unlawfully, and illegal importation.
If convicted, the defendants face a massive amount of prison time:
- Up to 5 years and a $250,000 fine for each conspiracy, unlicensed dealing, and importation count.
- Up to 10 years in federal prison for the interstate firearms trafficking count.
Part of a Broader Task Force Initiative
The investigation was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with local assistance from the Fresno Police Department.
Officials noted that this bust is tied to the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, a nationwide crackdown targeting organized criminal networks. The same task force recently made headlines following a historic 3,000-pound crystal meth seizure in nearby Modesto, Turlock, and Valley Springs.
