A Phoenix man, Eric Celaya, was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to making a Material False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
Celaya’s prison sentence is to be followed by 36 months of supervised release.
According to the Department of Justice, on January 19, 2023, Celaya purchased two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Tempe. Celaya completed the Firearms Transaction Record, known as ATF Form 4473, and stated that he was the actual purchaser. However, Celaya knew he was purchasing the firearms on behalf of Jamie Tran.
After Celaya submitted the ATF Form 4473 to the FFL, he purchased and left with the two firearms. Subsequently, Celaya provided the firearms to Tran. On February 15, 2023, and February 16, 2023, Tran used the firearms to shoot two Jewish community members in California, offenses charged as hate crimes in the United States District Court.
Celaya had no prior criminal history and there was no evidence to show that Celaya was aware of Tran’s intentions or beliefs.