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Bergen, N.Y., Man Given Federal Prison Term Over Illegal Machinegun Possession

Peter Celentano, 37, was sentenced to 41 months or more, according to differing accounts from The Batavian and WHEC, in a case announced on Aug. 11, 2026.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 11, 2026, 8:44 p.m. ET

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Peter Celentano, 37, of Bergen, N.Y., has been in federal court in connection with illegally possessing machineguns, in a case announced on Aug. 11, 2026. The Batavian reported the term as ; WHEC reported it as . Both outlets described the case as having reached sentencing. The charges were described by The Batavian as having machine guns and other illegal gun and gun parts, and by WHEC as illegally possessing machineguns. Accounts of the underlying conduct differ in detail. The Batavian reported the government's position that Celentano illegally possessed machineguns and that investigators recovered 3D-printed pistol frames, firearm parts, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press and two 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices at his Bergen residence; that more than 200 firearms tied to Celentano were seized; and that he provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained a "third pin hole," qualifying them as machine guns. WHEC reported prosecutors as saying investigators executing a search warrant at the Bergen home in September 2024 found 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices, that over 200 firearms in total were seized connected to Celentano, and that he had given someone nine lower receivers, two of which qualified as machine guns. Both outlets identified the agencies involved as the New York State Police, including a State Police dive team, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The material available does not set out the terms or timing of any plea, or what if anything remains to be decided in the case.

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Revision history

  1. Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:38current

    First published.

  2. Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:34current

    First published.

  3. Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:44current

    First published.

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