Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced that today Jay’von Flemming, 24, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Madison to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during the robbery.  Flemming admitted that he committed the armed robbery of Home Savings Bank in Stoughton, Wisconsin, on October 17, 2017, and that he brandished a firearm during the robbery.

As part of his plea agreement, Flemming also admitted that he robbed Bank Mutual in Portage, Wisconsin, on September 27, 2017.  Although he was not charged in the indictment returned by the grand jury with this robbery, his stipulation that he committed this crime means it may be considered by the court in determining his sentence. 

U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2018.  Flemming faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the armed bank robbery charge.  He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years on the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the bank robbery charge. 

Kenny Furdge, 24, Madison, pleaded guilty on March 27 to participating in the Stoughton bank robbery and also admitted to participating in the Portage bank robbery.  His sentencing is set for June 12, 2018. 

            The charges against Flemming and Furdge are the result of an investigation by the Stoughton and Portage Police Departments, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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