McFarland Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Bank Robberies

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jason Yapp, 48, McFarland, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to eight years in federal prison, for robbing two Madison banks.  Yapp pleaded guilty to these charges on May 23, 2019.  His prison term will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Yapp was on supervision with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at the time of these offenses.  On September 17, 2018, at 5:16 a.m., Yapp was released from the Dane County Jail where he was being held on a supervision hold.  At 9:34 a.m., he robbed the Associated Bank branch on West Broadway Avenue.

On September 21, 2018, Yapp attempted to rob the Associated Bank branch on Cottage Grove Road but fled when he thought the teller hit an alarm.  Yapp drove away from the bank, crashing into the vehicle of another bank customer.  He continued at a high rate of speed, eventually losing control and crashing.  Yapp was taken into custody by Madison Police as he tried to get into an unrelated vehicle that was waiting in line at the intersection.

Yapp has a lengthy criminal history including convictions for burglary, attempted second degree sexual assault, armed robbery, and theft from a financial institution.  In sentencing Yapp, Judge Peterson said that his main priority was protecting the public and commented on Yapp’s reckless flight from the second bank.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. 

The charges against Yapp were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan.