Middleton Woman Sentenced to Prison for Straw Purchasing Firearm Used in Murder Suicide

MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O'Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shawna Tantillo, 34, Middleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 18 months in federal prison for straw purchasing a firearm. The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Tantillo pled guilty to this charge on August 13, 2024.

"Straw purchasing" is when a gun buyer lies to a firearms dealer to purchase a gun for someone else. Most often straw purchases occur either because the straw buyer can pass the required background check and the actual buyer cannot, or because the actual buyer wants to avoid having their name associated with the gun transaction. Straw purchasing is a federal crime that can result in up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. It's a serious threat to public safety because it undermines background check laws and contributes to the illegal gun market. Guns purchased through straw purchases can end up in the hands of minors or convicted felons. Guns purchased through straw purchases are often used to commit violent crimes, as was the situation in the Tantillo case.

On December 8, 2024, Tantillo purchased a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. As required by law, she completed the background check which included filling out a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473. On that form, she attested that she was the actual purchaser. However, Tantillo was in fact purchasing the gun for her friend. Tantillo's friend was originally identified in the indictment as "Person 1," but in the government's recently unsealed sentencing memorandum, "Person 1" is further identified by her initials, J.J. Tantillo purchased the gun for J.J. despite knowing that J.J. could not legally purchase or possess a gun because of a prior felony conviction. J.J. paid Tantillo for the gun, plus an additional $150. On February 18, 2024, J.J. used the gun to shoot the father of her children, shoot and kill her children, and then take her own life.

"The tragic facts of this case reinforce the U.S. Attorney's Office's commitment to prosecuting 'straw purchase' cases" said U.S. Attorney Timothy O'Shea. "Stopping straw buyers and illegal firearms trafficking is the first line of defense against gun violence. It is a federal crime to lie to a gun dealer to buy a gun for someone else. If you do so, you will be prosecuted, and your best-case scenario is a felony conviction; the worst-case scenario is that you go to prison and that someone is hurt or killed. If a friend or relative asks you to lie to a gun dealer to try to buy a gun for them, don't do it," O'Shea said.

"An unthinkable crime was made possible because Ms. Tantillo purchased a firearm for someone who was legally prohibited from owning a firearm," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. "Ms. Tantillo may have had no awareness of the future crimes to be committed with the firearm she purchased, but she should have questioned why she was being asked to purchase it. A person who can legally possess firearms wouldn't be asking for this type of favor. I hope this case can be a stark warning to others who might consider purchasing a firearm for a prohibited person."

"The events surrounding this incident had an enormous impact on many in our community," said Middleton Police Chief Troy Hellenbrand. "This incident also showcases how serious law enforcement agencies take straw purchases which lead to violent crimes in our communities. Although we are unable to bring back the beautiful lives who were lost in this tragic incident, the court system worked as designed in finding Ms. Tantillo responsible for the purchase and sale of a gun which was used in these homicides. The Middleton Police Department would like to thank our various law enforcement partners who assisted in this investigation and subsequent arrest and conviction of Ms. Tantillo," said Hellenbrand.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Conley said that straw purchases, particularly when the firearm is given to a prohibited person, are a serious offense. Judge Conley found that although there is no evidence that Tantillo knew J.J. was going to use the gun to shoot her children and their father, her actions were intended to circumvent the nation's gun laws and the sentence reflected the tragic outcome.

The charge against Tantillo was the result of an investigation conducted by the Middleton and Fitchburg Police Departments. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the investigation. The task force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from local agencies including the Dane County and Clark County Sheriff's Offices and the Fitchburg, Madison, Sun Prairie, and La Crosse Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.