Gun Possession

⏱ 2 min read

A home invasion and shooting incident in Bethel, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 2024, led to the arrest of Harshpreet Singh, 25, an Indian national illegally in the U.S. Singh pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. The incident occurred at approximately 1:17 a.m. when Pennsylvania State Police troopers and Bethel Township Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting incident at a residence.

Upon arrival, officers found a gunshot victim, A.S., inside a vehicle at a nearby gas station, along with Singh and a co-defendant. After A.S. was transported to the hospital, police officers canvassed the area and discovered two firearms in a gravel lot across the street from the gas station: a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a privately manufactured firearm bearing no serial number.

A third firearm, a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, was located in the yard of the residence that had reported the home invasion. Forensic testing on the three guns found a DNA profile consistent with a mixture of four contributors, including Singh. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9 and faces a maximum possible term of 15 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to combat gun violence and other crimes. Singh’s guilty plea is a significant development in the case, and his sentencing will be closely watched.