A Penticton man with a lengthy criminal record will remain in custody for an additional 447 days after pleading guilty to charges of possession of a firearm with ammunition and possession of a firearm contrary to a court order in a 琉璃神社 courtroom on Feb. 19.

Aaron Ceretti, who has a lengthy criminal record, was arrested and charged with two counts related to possessing firearms as well as theft under $5,000 and careless use or storage of a firearm, after an incident that took place on Dec. 28, 2022 at the SmartShopper store in downtown Penticton.

A joint submission was presented to Justice Alison Beames by Crown prosecution and Ceretti's defence lawyer. 

As part of the joint submission, Ceretti entered guilty pleas for one count of possession of a firearm with ammunition and one count of possession of a firearm contrary to a court order. The charges of theft and careless use or storage of a firearm were stayed.

Justice Alison Beames sentenced Ceretti to more than 1,000 days in prison, less time served, for one count of being in possession of a firearm with ammunition. He will serve an additional 267 days in custody on that charge.

He was also sentenced to 180 days, to be served consecutively, for one count of being in possession of firearm contrary to a court order.

Between the two charges, Ceretti has 447 days in prison remaining from the day of sentencing. 

Upon his release in 447 days, Ceretti will be required to abide by the conditions of his two-year probation, which includes a ban from the SmartShopper premises. He is also prohibited from owning any sort of weapon, ammunition or explosive.

Justice Beames also waved the victim surcharge for Ceretti.

In 2020, Ceretti was convicted of three counts of break and enter, two firearms related charges and one count of possession of methamphetamine relating to an eight-day 鈥榙rug-fuelled crime spree.' He was sentenced to 1090 days but after receiving credit for time spent in custody, he spent only one additional day in custody. 

In 2021, was sentenced for six counts relating primarily to to probation breaches, largely stemming from leaving his home at the time in Princeton where he was required to stay. He had been facing 15 counts, but after pleading guilty to six charges, the remaining charges were stayed.

Ceretti was sentenced to 190 days in custody, less time served, amounting to 30 additional days for the breaches.