Former Bullard High School friends indicted on federal gun-trafficking charges
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- Five Fresno men were indicted for allegedly trafficking firearms from Texas to California.
- Indictment charges include conspiracy, unlicensed dealing, manufacturing, interstate.
- Defendants face up to five years and $250,000 per count, and 10 years for interstate.
Five Fresno men who met while attending Bullard High School were indicted by a federal grand jury recently for allegedly trafficking firearms from Texas to California.
Indicted as part of the scheme were Harman Pahal, 21, Cameron Chouanmasay, 20, Colton Malone, 21, Julian Calderon, 20, and Jaskarn Batth, 20, all of Fresno.
The defendants were arraigned Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Guy Castillo and entered pleas of not guilty. A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 28.
According to court documents, the defendants, who were not licensed gun dealers, conspired to unlawfully buy guns in Texas and transport them to California where they were sold. Federal officials said in a news release that none of the defendants are licensed to deal, manufacture or import firearms.
The indictment alleges that the defendants used social media to advertise and sell firearms and repeatedly traveled from Fresno to Texas to get more weapons for resale.
During trips in December 2024, the defendants allegedly acquired multiple firearms — including Draco‑style AK‑type pistols and other handguns — and returned with them to California to sell.
They also allegedly discussed and attempted multiple firearm sales through online platforms.
The indictment charges all five defendants with conspiracy, unlicensed dealing and manufacturing of firearms, interstate travel with intent to unlawfully deal firearms, and unlawful importation of firearms into California.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to participate in unlawful firearms dealing, engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and interstate importation of firearms without a license. They face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted of the count of interstate travel to unlawfully deal in firearms.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.
