Visalia Man Admits to Selling Machine Guns to Undercover Agent

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 6 days ago on

April 8, 2025

A 20-year-old Visalia man pleaded guilty Monday, April 7, 2025, to illegally selling machine guns and other firearms to an undercover agent during a federal investigation. (AP File)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Visalia man has pleaded guilty to selling machine guns and illegally manufacturing and dealing firearms, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Shawn Saesee, 20, admitted to selling eight firearms — including five machine guns — to an undercover agent on four separate occasions, according to court documents. Authorities said Saesee carried out the transactions despite being told the buyer could not legally possess firearms.

The case was investigated by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Saesee is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 4 by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston.

He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though the actual sentence will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and federal sentencing guidelines, according to prosecutors.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community partnerships and focused enforcement.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Lucid Motors to Acquire Nikola’s Arizona Facilities in $30M Deal

DON'T MISS

Trump HHS Eliminates Office That Sets Poverty Levels Tied to Benefits for at Least 80 Million People

DON'T MISS

Porterville Irrigation District Kills Partnership Amid Accusations of Power Mongering

DON'T MISS

This Easy Crumble Has Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Vibes

DON'T MISS

How to Ease Your Money Anxiety When the Economy Is Stressing You Out

DON'T MISS

U.S. Holds Talks With Iran Over Its Nuclear Program

DON'T MISS

Fear Shadows Many Children in Immigrant Families

DON'T MISS

Intellectually Disabled Teen Shot by Idaho Police Dies After Being Removed From Life Support

DON'T MISS

In South Carolina, a Once Thriving Textile Hub Is Baffled by Trump’s Tariffs

DON'T MISS

Israel Cuts Off Gaza’s Southern City of Rafah and Vows to ‘Vigorously’ Expand in the Territory

UP NEXT

Trump HHS Eliminates Office That Sets Poverty Levels Tied to Benefits for at Least 80 Million People

UP NEXT

Porterville Irrigation District Kills Partnership Amid Accusations of Power Mongering

UP NEXT

This Easy Crumble Has Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Vibes

UP NEXT

How to Ease Your Money Anxiety When the Economy Is Stressing You Out

UP NEXT

U.S. Holds Talks With Iran Over Its Nuclear Program

UP NEXT

Fear Shadows Many Children in Immigrant Families

UP NEXT

Intellectually Disabled Teen Shot by Idaho Police Dies After Being Removed From Life Support

UP NEXT

In South Carolina, a Once Thriving Textile Hub Is Baffled by Trump’s Tariffs

UP NEXT

Israel Cuts Off Gaza’s Southern City of Rafah and Vows to ‘Vigorously’ Expand in the Territory

UP NEXT

Judge Relaxes Ban on DOGE Access to Sensitive US Treasury Information

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.