Phoenix man convicted of buying guns used in Los Angeles hate crimes

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — A Phoenix man has been sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to providing weapons to a man who was convicted of trying to kill two Jews in California in February 2023.

Eric Celaya, 30, was sentenced on Monday. The judge ruled that, after the prison sentence, he will be released for 36 months.

Celaya pleaded guilty to lying during the purchase of a firearm while in federal court earlier this year.

Federal prosecutors say that on Jan. 19, 2023, Celaya purchased two firearms from a licensed dealer in Tempe.

Celaya filled out the required federal forms, which required him to confirm that he was buying the guns for himself. However, the feds say Celaya knew he was buying the firearms on behalf of Jamie Tran.

After Celaya gave Tran the guns, Tran used them to shoot two Jews outside the synagogue in Los Angeles on February 15 and 162023.

However, the feds say Celaya had no criminal record and there was no evidence to suggest he knew Tran’s intentions to kill two people.

In September, Tran was sentenced to 35 years in prison after the offenses were charged as hate crimes.

Federal officials say Tran emailed two dozen former classmates a flyer containing anti-Semitic propaganda, including the statement: “EVERY ASPECT OF THE COVID AGENDA IS JEWISH.”

“Sentencing people to death based on their religious and ethnic exclusivity brings back memories of the darkest chapters in human history,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said at the time of Tran’s sentencing. “This kind of hate-fueled violence does not happen in America. We hope the sentence imposed today sends a strong message to everyone in our community that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism and hatred of any kind. For those who engage in hate crimes, the punishment will be severe.”

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