Former high school friends charged in scheme to smuggle guns into California

Five former California high school classmates are accused of running 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 charges tied to an alleged firearms trafficking conspiracy that spanned from December 2024 through April 2026.

The five men, who prosecutors say met while attending Bullard High School in Fresno, pleaded not guilty during their arraignment Monday.

According to the indictment, the group repeatedly traveled from Fresno to Texas to illegally acquire firearms before bringing them back into California to resell — despite none of the defendants holding licenses to deal, manufacture or import firearms.

Prosecutors allege the group used social media to advertise and sell the weapons, arranging multiple firearm sales through online platforms.

During buying trips in December 2024, the defendants allegedly purchased multiple firearms, including Draco-style AK-type pistols and other handguns, before transporting them back to California for resale.

The indictment charges all five men with conspiracy, engaging in the business of dealing and manufacturing firearms without a license, interstate travel with the intent to unlawfully deal firearms and illegally importing firearms into California.

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If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the conspiracy, unlicensed firearms dealing and unlawful importation charges. They also face up to 10 years behind bars on the interstate firearms trafficking count.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Fresno Police Department.

Federal officials noted the case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, a nationwide effort aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations, gun trafficking operations and other organized criminal networks.

Another high profile bust from the HSTF initiative happened back in March when a five-month investigation led to the discovery of nearly 3,000 pounds of crystal meth in one of the largest drug seizures in US history after raids in Modesto, Turlock and Valley Springs.