Stockton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Dealing Firearms Without a License

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jason Prom, 23, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 12 years in prison for conspiring to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between January and June 2016, Prom led a nine-person, interstate conspiracy to sell firearms without possessing the required federal license. During this time, members of the conspiracy illegally sold a total of 47 firearms to undercover agents in Stockton and Las Vegas. The firearms included five automatic weapons, a short-barreled rifle, and at least half a dozen guns with obliterated serial numbers. They also included two stolen guns and another half-dozen guns that had never been serialized. Many of these firearms were military-style assault weapons.

Prom himself sold the majority of the weapons and several high-capacity magazines to the undercover agents. He planned out-of-state supply trips, placed orders for semi-automatic Glocks to be converted to automatics, negotiated prices, and supervised the removal of serial numbers.

Prior to January 28, 2016, Prom had been convicted of two felonies and was prohibited from possessing any firearm. He was on parole for these felony convictions during the entirety of the conspiracy.

On July 21, 2016, Prom was indicted along with Kenny Prach, 22, of Las Vegas; Gary Loch, 28, of Oregon; Stockton residents Ariana Diaz, 22; Adam Nhem, 21; Hilberto Arevalos, 36; Sean Chaichanhda, 25; and Ronnie Dethvongsa, 26.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Stockton Police Department and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Beck and Richard Bender are prosecuting the case.

Prom and four co-defendants have pleaded guilty. They are scheduled to be sentenced as follows: Prach on September 27, Dethvongsa on October 11, Diaz on November 8, and Arevalos on December 6.

Charges are pending against Loch and Chaichanhda. Nhem has not been arrested. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.