Punjabi Devils Gang Founder Jashnanpreet Singh Sentenced to Prison in US

A 27-year-old Indian-origin man has been sentenced to prison in the United States for his involvement in illegal activities related to a motorcycle gang. Jashnanpreet Singh, a resident of Lodi, California, and the founder of an illegal motorcycle gang known as the 'Punjabi Devils,' has been sentenced to more than five years in prison. The charges against him include the illegal trafficking of firearms and the possession of machine guns, marking a significant crackdown on organized crime in the region, while singh's activities had been under the radar of law enforcement for a considerable period before his eventual capture.

Sentencing and Judicial Proceedings

US Attorney Eric Grant announced on Thursday that Jashnanpreet Singh was sentenced on Monday by US District Judge Dale Drozd. The court handed down a sentence of 5 years and 4 months in prison for the illegal purchase and sale of firearms and the unlawful possession of machine guns. The sentencing follows a detailed investigation into Singh's activities, which involved high-stakes illegal trade of dangerous weaponry and military-grade explosives. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes during the sentencing hearing, highlighting the danger posed to public safety.

The Punjabi Devils and Undercover Sting

' This Stockton-based illegal motorcycle gang was found to be affiliated with the 'Hells Angels,' a global illegal motorcycle club active in California. The investigation reached a turning point in June last year when Singh attempted to sell several firearms to an undercover officer, while the cache of weapons offered for sale included a short-barreled rifle, three assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver. This undercover operation provided the critical evidence needed to dismantle Singh's illegal operations.

Search Operations and Discovery of Explosives

Following the undercover operation, a search of Jashnanpreet Singh's residence led to the discovery of even more weaponry. Authorities found a machine gun, an additional machine gun conversion device, and a silencer. Also, investigators uncovered a pineapple-shaped hand grenade equipped with a cap and fuse. They also found an item identified by law enforcement agencies as a military electronic-cap Claymore Mine. Due to the high risk posed by these explosives, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department's bomb disposal team was called in to destroy the items on-site to prevent any accidental detonation.

Attempted Flight to India and Final Arrest

Initially, Singh faced state-level charges in San Joaquin County related to these crimes. However, in July last year, he failed to appear in court for a scheduled hearing, prompting the state court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. Shortly after, the FBI received an alert from US Customs and Border Protection indicating that Singh had booked a ticket to return to India. The alert specified that he intended to flee from San Francisco International Airport on July 26, 2025. Law enforcement officers acted swiftly, locating and arresting Singh at the airport before he could board his flight.

Jashnanpreet Singh remains in federal custody following his arrest. The successful prosecution was the result of coordinated efforts between the FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement agencies, ensuring that the gang leader faced justice for his extensive illegal firearms operations, while he's currently serving his sentence in federal custody.