MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) - A Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegally purchasing a firearm later used in a murder-suicide, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Shawna Tantillo, 34, of Middleton, pleaded guilty in August to straw-purchasing a firearm. Her sentence, handed down on Thursday, includes three years of supervised release following her prison term. Semi crashes into 4 vehicles at Wisconsin intersection, driver significantly injured Straw-purchasing involves lying to a firearms dealer to purchase a gun on behalf of someone else. Often, the actual buyer either cannot pass the required background check or wants to avoid being linked to the firearm transaction. The U.S. Attorney's Office described straw-purchasing as a federal crime carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Such purchases are considered a public safety threat as they contribute to the illegal gun market and undermine background check laws. In Tantillo’s case, she purchased a firearm on Dec. 8, 2023, from a licensed dealer and attested on an ATF form that she was the actual buyer. However, she had been recruited by a friend, identified as "J.J.," who could not legally own a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. Tantillo was paid for the firearm and given an additional $150. Two months later, on Feb. 18, 2024, J.J. used the weapon to shoot and kill the father of her children, murder her children, and 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. “If you lie to a gun dealer to buy a firearm for someone else, you will face prosecution. The consequences of these actions can be devastating.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle emphasized the importance of questioning such requests, noting that individuals legally allowed to purchase firearms would not need intermediaries. Man arrested in Wisconsin after allegedly pushing bartender, refusing to pay tab Middleton Police Chief Troy Hellenbrand echoed the sentiment, highlighting the case’s profound community 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 said. At the sentencing, the judge acknowledged that while Tantillo likely had no knowledge of J.J.’s intentions, her actions enabled the crime and represented a deliberate effort to bypass gun laws. The judge called the offense severe and noted the sentence reflected the tragedy’s gravity.