Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted Corey Harris, a 34-year-old resident of Exeter, on charges of conspiracy to traffic firearms and unlawful dealing and manufacturing of firearms without a license. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the indictment.
Court documents reveal that between 2021 and 2023, Harris, who was a peace officer with the California Department of Cannabis Control at the time of his arrest and formerly served with the Visalia Police Department, conspired with another individual to traffic firearms. The allegations include transferring at least three firearms on separate occasions to an individual known to be a felon. The firearms involved were reportedly a stolen AK-style rifle, a Glock handgun, and a privately manufactured machine gun—commonly referred to as "ghost guns."
The court documents further allege that Harris exploited his position as a police officer to access firearms and accessories not available to ordinary citizens. He is accused of manufacturing or directing the manufacture of firearms, including machine guns, without possessing a federal firearms license.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with support from various law enforcement agencies including the Fresno Police Department, Selma Police Department, California Department of Cannabis Control, California Department of Justice, and Visalia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Veneman-Hughes is leading the prosecution.
If convicted on conspiracy charges related to firearm trafficking, Harris could face up to 15 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. A conviction for unlawful dealing and manufacturing without a license carries up to five years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court after considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines which evaluate multiple variables. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; Harris remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. Launched on May 26, 2021 by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its violent crime reduction strategy, PSN emphasizes community trust-building measures alongside strategic enforcement priorities.
