Madison, Wisconsin – A Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for unlawfully acquiring a firearm that was later used in a murder-suicide, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Shawna Tantillo, 34, of Middleton, pled guilty in August to straw buying a handgun. Her sentence, imposed on Thursday, includes three years of supervised release after her prison term.
Straw-purchasing is the act of lying to a firearms dealer to acquire a gun on behalf of another person. Often, the actual buyer is either unable to pass the requisite background check or wishes to avoid being associated with the firearm purchase.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office classified straw purchasing as a federal offense punishable by up to 15 years in jail and a $250,000 fine. Such sales pose a public safety risk because they contribute to the illegal weapons market and weaken background check legislation.
Tantillo purchased a firearm from a licensed dealer on December 8, 2023, and attested on an ATF form that she was the genuine buyer. However, she had been recruited by a buddy known as “J.J.,” who was unable to legally purchase a pistol due to a previous criminal conviction. Tantillo was compensated for the handgun and granted an additional $150.
Two months later, on February 18, 2024, J.J. used the firearm to shoot and kill her children’s father, as well as murder her children and commit suicide.
“The tragic facts of this case reinforce the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to prosecuting ‘ straw purchase’ cases,” U.S. Attorney Timothy O’Shea stated. “If you lie to a gun dealer to purchase a handgun for someone else, you will face criminal charges. The effects of such activities can be disastrous.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle underlined the necessity of questioning such inquiries, pointing out that those lawfully permitted to acquire firearms do not require intermediaries.
Middleton Police Chief Troy Hellenbrand echoed the idea, emphasizing the case’s significant communal impact. “Although we cannot bring back the beautiful lives lost, this case underscores the seriousness of straw purchases and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to hold offenders accountable,” he told reporters.
At the sentencing, the judge agreed that, while Tantillo was likely unaware of J.J.’s intentions, her actions permitted the crime and reflected an intentional attempt to circumvent firearms rules. The judge described the offense as grave and remarked that the sentencing reflected the magnitude of the event.
Source: Wisconsin Woman Sentenced to 18 Months for Purchasing Gun Used in Murder-Suicide
