Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh

Chandigarh, May 13: A US federal court in California has sentenced Punjab-origin Jashanpreet Singh, founder of the Stockton-based Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club, to five years and four months in prison for illegally dealing in firearms and possessing a machine gun.

According to the US Department of Justice, the 27-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to unlawful firearms dealing and illegal possession of a machine gun.

US District Judge Dale A Drozd in Sacramento pronounced the sentence on May 12.

Authorities said Singh had attempted to flee to India after the case surfaced but was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on June 26 last year before boarding a flight.

He had initially faced charges in San Joaquin County and later failed to appear in court on July 21, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant against him.

US Attorney Eric Grant confirmed that Singh was convicted on charges linked to illegal weapons trafficking and possession of prohibited firearms.

Federal prosecutors stated that Singh attempted to sell multiple weapons to an undercover officer on June 6 last year. The cache allegedly included a short-barrel rifle, three assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver.

During a subsequent search of his residence, investigators recovered several additional firearms, a fully operational machine gun, a silencer, high-capacity drum magazines, a pineapple-style hand grenade, and components suspected to be part of a military-style Claymore mine.

The bomb squad later destroyed the seized explosive materials and weapons.

Authorities described the Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club as an outlaw biker gang linked to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club as a support or “puppet” group.

The club, founded by Singh last year, reportedly used insignia featuring the map of Punjab along with a turbaned skull symbol. Members were said to wear black leather jackets carrying the words “Punjabi Devils” and “NOR-CAL”.

The investigation was conducted under the US Department of Justice’s “Operation Take Back America” initiative and involved the FBI, ATF, DEA, Homeland Security, and local law enforcement agencies.