MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) — A 45-year-old Wisconsin man has been sentenced to three months in federal prison for making false statements while purchasing firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Erik Smay, of Madison, pleaded guilty in August to lying about his drug use on federal firearms purchase forms. His prison sentence, handed down Wednesday, will be followed by three years of supervised release. Wisconsin woman gets 18 months for buying gun used in murder-suicide Prosecutors said Smay purchased multiple firearms in 2022 from federally licensed dealers in the Madison area. Some of the guns were later used in crimes, authorities said. Law enforcement interviewed Smay on Jan. 23, 2024, about the firearms, and he admitted lying about his unlawful drug use and addictions when completing federal purchase forms. Smay falsely certified that his answers were accurate during each transaction, investigators said. Semi crashes into 4 vehicles at Wisconsin intersection, driver significantly injured At sentencing, the judge noted Smay’s long history of substance abuse made him susceptible to exploitation and raised concerns that he had traded firearms to sustain his drug habit. The judge said a custodial sentence was necessary to address Smay’s addiction and ensure compliance with federal firearm laws. The case highlights the importance of accurately screening potential gun buyers for drug use or addiction, the judge said, emphasizing the connection between substance abuse and the illegal use of firearms.