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.

3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 11, 2026, 8:34 p.m. ET

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

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.

Earlier reports

Aug 11, 2026, 8:38 p.m. ET
Bergen, N.Y., Man Sentenced Over Illegal Machinegun Possession
Peter Celentano, 37, of Bergen, N.Y., has been sentenced in the case accusing him of illegally possessing machineguns and, as whec.com described the charges, having machine guns and other illegal gun and gun parts. The sentence was announced on August 11, 2026, according to thebatavian.com.
Accounts of the term differ: thebatavian.com reported 41 months in federal prison, while whec.com reported over 41 months in prison.
On the underlying conduct, the two outlets give overlapping but not identical accounts. thebatavian.com reported that the government said 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.com reported that prosecutors said 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.
Aug 11, 2026, 8:34 p.m. ETFirst report
Bergen, N.Y., man sentenced to more than 41 months over illegal machine guns
Peter Celentano, 37, of Bergen, N.Y., has been sentenced to more than 41 months in prison on charges of having machine guns and other illegal guns and gun parts, according to reporting by WHEC.
WHEC reported that prosecutors said investigators executing a search warrant at Celentano's Bergen home in September 2024 found 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices. According to the same reporting, more than 200 firearms in total were seized in connection with Celentano, and he had given someone nine lower receivers, two of which qualified as machine guns.
A State Police dive team was among the agencies involved, WHEC reported. The outlet did not detail its role.
This account is based on a single outlet's report and the case remains a developing story. Further details of the proceeding, including any statement from Celentano or his lawyers, are not established in the available material.

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Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:38current
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Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:34current
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Version 112 Aug 2026, 00:44current
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