A Fresno resident was sentenced and another pleaded guilty in separate illegal gun possession cases, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. The actions are part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative aimed at addressing violent crime and organized criminal activity.
Phatna Pich, 23, received a sentence of three years and one month in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing machine guns. Court documents state that law enforcement began investigating Pich for trafficking illegal firearms in October 2024. In November 2024, officers searched his home and found a loaded firearm, ammunition, and 12 auto-sears—devices that convert firearms into automatic weapons. Pich has two previous felony convictions related to firearms, including one involving an assault weapon, which prohibits him from owning firearms or ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
In a separate case, Thomas Carter Beasley, 21, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, Beasley led police on a high-speed chase after they attempted to stop him. He ran several stop signs and nearly struck bystanders before crashing into a parked car. Afterward, he fled on foot through an apartment complex and hid a loaded .40 caliber Glock 27 handgun under a resident’s doormat. Beasley faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; however, his actual sentence will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Robert Veneman-Hughes are prosecuting.
“These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
The Justice Department serves as the main federal law enforcement agency with more than 115,000 employees working across the United States and internationally in over 50 countries (official website). Its focus includes upholding the rule of law as well as ensuring national safety and civil rights (official website). Merrick Garland became its 86th Attorney General after being sworn in on March 11, 2021 (official website).
