Federal Prosecutors Secure Convictions for Illegal Firearm Possession and Machine Gun Conversion Kits in Fresno

Federal authorities sentence Fresno man for machine gun parts while another pleads guilty to firearm possession after a high speed police chase.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 8:41 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Californi

A Federal Crackdown on Illegal Automatic Weaponry in Fresno

The Department of Justice has intensified its efforts to remove prohibited firearms from California streets, resulting in a significant prison sentence for a repeat offender in Fresno. Phatna Pich, a 23 year old resident with a history of firearm related felonies, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison this week. The conviction follows a 2024 investigation into illegal trafficking that led law enforcement to Pich’s residence, where they discovered not only a loaded firearm and ammunition but also a dozen auto sears. These specialized components are designed to convert standard semi automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns, representing a severe escalation in the lethality of weapons circulating within the local community.

The Collaborative Investigation into Firearm Trafficking Networks

The sentencing of Pich serves as a milestone for the local and federal agencies that tracked his involvement in the illegal arms trade. According to court records, the Fresno Police Department worked in tandem with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to dismantle Pich’s operations after he was identified as a person of interest in trafficking circles. Given his prior convictions involving assault weapons, the possession of machine gun conversion kits triggered a robust federal response. Prosecutors emphasized that the removal of such high capacity hardware is a critical component of maintaining public safety, as these devices are frequently sought by organized criminal elements looking to increase their tactical advantage.

High Speed Pursuit Leads to Guilty Plea for Loaded Weaponry

In a separate development, federal authorities secured a guilty plea from Thomas Carter Beasley, who now faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in a violent encounter with local police. The case against Beasley originated from a high speed chase through Fresno, during which the defendant allegedly ignored stop signs and nearly struck several bystanders before colliding with a parked vehicle. Following the crash, Beasley attempted to evade capture on foot through a residential apartment complex. Officers eventually located a loaded .40 caliber Glock 27 handgun that Beasley had hidden under a resident’s doormat in a desperate attempt to discard the evidence while fleeing.