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For years, some Central Valley residents have been terrorized by a transnational criminal network with threats of violence and extortion. But for those outside the Indian and Punjabi Sikh communities, this campaign of fear has largely remained invisible, writes Gagandeep Singh for CalMatters.
In May 2024, the FBI’s Sacramento field office began soliciting members of the Central Valley Indian community to report gang-related crimes. California is home to over 250,000 Sikhs, the most of any state, and many maintain strong ties to India.
The crackdowns often involve gang members linked to criminal networks in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi and Rajasthan. They contact a victim – usually someone who is wealthy or has a lot of assets, such as a real estate developer or local businessman – and asks for money. If the victim refuses, the gangs threaten or carry out attacks on their relatives, families or businesses in the US or India.
The gangs typically start by asking for between $4,000 and $7,000 — a low enough amount to discourage victims from calling the police, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. But if the victims end up paying, the gangs will contact them again a few months later demanding more money.
Much of this criminal activity stems from Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang, considered by the FBI to be India’s most wanted criminal organization. At least two murders since 2025 in Stockton and Fresno have been linked to the Bishnoi gang. Sacramento County police have also linked 20 shootings over the past four years to Bishnoi and a rival gang.
Sheriff’s offices in Fresno and San Joaquin counties say these gang crimes are likely underreported. This comes as no surprise to Naindeep Singh, executive director of the Jakara Movement, a Sikh advocacy group.
- Singh: Community members “choose to remain silent for fear of reprisals against them, their bodies, their businesses, and their loved ones in the United States or India.”
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Other stories you should know
Woman alleges sexual assault in 2018 from Swalwell
Another woman appeared accused US Representative Eric Swawell of sexual assaultJeanne Kuang of CalMatters reports.
Lona Drewes told reporters Tuesday at her lawyers’ office in Beverly Hills that the Bay Area Democrat drugged and raped her in 2018. Drewes said she met with Swawell a total of three times that year and that the third time the alleged assault occurred was the last time she saw him.
At the news conference, one of Drews’ attorneys also said she will file a complaint with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office that will include text messages, journal entries and information about people she confided in about the alleged assault.
A lawyer for Swalwell released a statement saying he “categorically and unequivocally denies any allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been made against him.”
Drewes’ profile follows last week’s reports from CNN and on San Francisco Chronicle which accused Swawell of engaging in sexual assault with at least four women, including allegedly raping a former employee. Swawell was one of the leading Democratic candidates for governor of California until he dropped out of the race on Sunday.
Swawell also said he plans to resign from Congress. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced a special election scheduled for August 18 to fill Swawell’s vacant House seat.
Cities fear new housing law
California passed a law last year that would make it easier to build apartment complexes near transit stops. However Senate Bill 79 kicks on July 1st, some cities are taking steps to extend distribution as they consider their options as they work to meet the state’s housing requirements.
As CalMatters’ Ben Christopher explains, local governments in Los Angeles are using a provision in the law that allows certain transit-adjacent areas to delay changing their zoning rules to comply with them until 2030. The delay also applies to many lower-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles; areas that are at risk of fire or flooding; and historic preservation sites.
But not every city is following LA’s lead. Sacramento, for example, will consider changing some of its rules related to how it accepts development applications under the new law. But overall, the city is taking SB 79 as is and keeping state-mandated zoning rules intact.
And finally: CalPERS is giving up
On Tuesday, CalPERS dropped its attempt to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars from four retirees it says violated rules related to post-retirement work. CalPERS began investigating the retirees in 2018 and found they had illegally received retirement benefits. One retiree received an overpayment letter of nearly $850,000. Read more by Adam Ashton of CalMatters.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: A series of recent reports on California’s failures in public education, job growth and affordable housing highlight just a few of the state’s many problems that the next governor must turn.
Under threat from the Trump administration to cut federal funding to hospitals serving transgender minors, California needs funding structures and a network of gender-affirming providers to keep care accessible to LGBTQ patients, writes Pamela Halliwelldirector of behavioral health services at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.
Other things worth your time:
Former Steel representative elected as Trump’s ambassador to South Korea // The Orange County Register
What are California ‘home killer’ bills? Here’s what the masters say // The Sacramento Bee
Meet the candidates for State Superintendent: Al Muratsuchi, Assemblyman, College Professor // EdSource
CA manufacturers face possible artificial stone ban as cases of silicosis increase // KQED
Fewer teenagers are applying for non-dual CA driver’s licenses // The San Francisco Standard
LAUSD strike averted; schools open Tuesday as unions reach tentative deals on raises // Los Angeles Times
Three San Diego warships are assisting imposition of an American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz // San Diego Union Tribune
