2 Shawano Men Get Federal Prison Time For Straw Purchases Of Firearms

Prosecutors say two Shawano men will spend time in federal prison for buying guns for people who were barred from owning weapons. A federal judge sentenced 24-year-old to 15 months behind bars. He most also serve 36 months of probation. Twenty-nine-year-old Jesus Zepeda was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation. Illegally buying guns for other people is known as a “straw purchase.” Federal prosecutors say that on three separate days in 2014, Hancock purchased three guns at the urging of Zepeda. The guns were purchased from licensed dealers in the Green Bay area. Prosecutors say Hancock made false statements on forms for the background check. Hancock and Zepeda delivered the guns to two people who were barred from possessing weapons under federal law. Two of the guns were recovered by U-S Customs and Border Patrol in 2015. Prosecutors say the weapons were on the way to Mexico.