A Genesee County man has been charged with illegal possession of machine guns following searches of property in Bergen, Lyndonville and Medina, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Peter Celentano of Bergen was arrested Wednesday after a joint investigation by the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, Celentano’s residence was searched on a warrant on Sept. 29 and officers recovered two 3D-printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, an AR 80% style jig and drill, a drill press and various other tools related to the manufacture of firearms.
In addition, three properties associated with Celentano were searched, two in Lyndonville and an apartment in Medina, where officers seized numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D-printed handguns and additional firearm parts and accessories. Approximately 59 of the AR-style receivers contained a so-called third pinhole, qualifying them as machine guns, Intravatola said.
Then, on Oct. 9, a dive team was dispatched to search the Erie Canal beneath the Beals Road bridge in Medina. Intravatola said a cardboard box was located and retrieved from the canal bottom and the box contained 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, magazines and additional firearm parts.
If Celentano is convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.