Evergreen Reporter

Eric Celaya, a resident of Phoenix, has been sentenced to eight months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi. Earlier this year, on May 15, Celaya pleaded guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

On January 19, 2023, Celaya bought two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Tempe. He completed the required ATF Form 4473 and claimed to be the actual purchaser. However, he was purchasing the firearms for Jamie Tran. After completing the transaction, Celaya transferred the firearms to Tran. On February 15 and 16, 2023, Tran used these firearms in shootings targeting two Jewish community members in California. These incidents have been charged as hate crimes under Case Number 2:23-CR-00098-GW in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Celaya had no prior criminal record and there is no evidence suggesting that he knew about Tran's intentions or beliefs.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Reinforced by the Department of Justice in 2017, PSN focuses on developing strategies with federal, state, local, and tribal partners to address violent crime effectively.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen from the District of Arizona oversaw the prosecution.