Xengxai Yang, Armed Bank Robbery, Wisconsin 2021

Xengxai Yang, a 21-year-old man from Appleton, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for armed bank robbery. Yang was found guilty of Armed Bank Robbery, Brandishing a Short-Barreled Rifle During a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle in a bench trial in October 2020.

According to court records, on March 15, 2019, Yang entered a federally insured credit union on the west side of Appleton, Wisconsin. Yang wore a black plastic theater mask, sunglasses, and a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and his head covered. As he approached the counter, Yang pulled out a short-barreled shotgun and demanded money from the teller.

Yang held the tellers at gunpoint while they gave him the money in their cash drawers. Yang placed the money in a bag and used cable ties to restrain two of the employees. Yang then left the credit union on foot. Officers with the Appleton Police Department apprehended Yang about a block away and recovered over $10,000 in cash.

Yang admitted robbing the credit union, telling an Appleton detective, that he “decided to try something new today, so I robbed a bank.” The rifle used during the robbery had a barrel of 9.5 inches and was illegal for Yang to possess.

In sentencing Yang, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense. Judge Griesbach pointed out the tremendous impact the offense had on the credit union employees and the need for the sentence to reflect that trauma. Judge Griesbach also observed the need to deter others who might consider similar actions.

Yang will serve 14 years in federal prison, with 5 years of supervised release after his prison term. The Appleton Police Department investigated the case, and it was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

For further information, contact Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov or (414) 297-1700.

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