Shawna Tantillo, Straw Purchasing, Wisconsin 2023

MADISON, WIS. – In a shocking move, Shawna Tantillo, 34, a resident of Middleton, Wisconsin, has been charged with straw purchasing a firearm for a felon. The indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, alleges that Tantillo knowingly purchased a firearm on behalf of a person identified as Person 1, who is a felon.

Tantillo is accused of purchasing a .380 handgun from a Cross Plains, Wisconsin, gun store on December 7, 2023, after being asked by Person 1. The indictment further alleges that Tantillo falsely declared on the purchase form that she was the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm. She picked up the firearm from the gun store on December 8, 2023, and then gave it to Person 1, who in return gave Tantillo the purchase price plus $150.

The indictment charges Tantillo with straw purchasing a firearm for a felon, conspiring to violate the law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms, and lying on a firearms purchase form. If convicted, the conspiracy and false statement charges each carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, while the straw purchase charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea commented on the charges, stating, ‘Stopping straw buyers and preventing illegal firearms trafficking is our first line of defense against gun violence.’ He emphasized that it is illegal to purchase a firearm posing as the real buyer for someone else and that individuals should not lie to firearms retailers to facilitate gun purchases for others.

The charges against Tantillo were the result of an investigation conducted by the Middleton and Fitchburg Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the case.

Shawna Tantillo, Crime: Straw purchasing a firearm for a felon, City: Middleton, State: Wisconsin, Date: November 28, 2023, Sentence: If convicted, 5-15 years in prison.

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