Eric Celaya, False Statement to Purchase Firearms, Arizona 2024

A Phoenix man has been sentenced to prison for lying about who he was buying firearms for, which were later used in a hate crime in California. Eric Celaya, 30, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 8 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for making a material false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

According to court documents, on January 19, 2023, Celaya purchased two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Tempe. He 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.

Celaya had no prior criminal history and there was no evidence to show that he was aware of Tran’s intentions or beliefs.

The firearms were later used in a hate crime in California, in which two Jewish community members were shot. Tran was charged with hate crimes in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Case Number 2:23-CR-00098-GW.

Celaya’s sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi on Monday.

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen handled the prosecution.

Caselaw: CR-23-01456-PHX-MTL; Release Number: 2024-149_Celaya.

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