A 26-year-old Lodi man identified by federal authorities as the founder of the Stockton-based Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club has been indicted on weapons charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The three-count indictment from a federal grand jury against Jashanpreet Singh includes unlawful dealing of firearms, unlawful possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez, whose office covers the Central Valley, said in a statement.
The Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club is described in court documents as an outlaw motorcycle gang associated with the Hells Angels.
The charges stem from Singh’s alleged attempt to sell several weapons to an undercover officer on June 6. They included a short-barreled rifle, three other assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices and a revolver, according to prosecutors.
A search of Singh’s residence resulted in the discovery of additional guns, including a machine gun, another machine gun conversion device, and a silencer. In addition, prosecutors say they found a fused military-style hand grenade and what law enforcement officers believe was a land mine. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s bomb squad was called in to destroy the potentially explosive devices at the scene.
Initially, Singh only faced local charges, but it then became a federal case connected to the Trump’s administrations criminal deportation effort, what it’s calling Operation Take Back America.
Singh missed a court appearance July 21, prompting a bench warrant for his arrest. Two days later, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted the FBI that Singh had purchased a ticket for India on July 26. He arrested at San Francisco International Airport before he could board the plane and remains in federal custody.
Singh faces a maximum 25 years in prison and a $510,000 fine if convicted on all charges.