Madras man admits post-eclipse 2017 bank holdup
A Madras man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Eugene federal court to last year’s post-eclipse robbery of the U.S. Bank in Madras and also admitted possessing methamphetamine with an intent to distribute the drug, federal prosecutors said.
On August 21, 2017, amid the busy post-eclipse crowd in Madras, a man later identified as Tyler Wayne Fuller, 29, walked into the U.S. Bank branch on Southwest C Street, court documents said.
Fuller approached a teller and passed her a note that read, “Give me your money and nobody gets hurt.” Fuller then told the teller not to play games.
The teller gave Fuller $517 and pressed her alarm button as he exited the bank, prosecutors said. Fuller was arrested without incident three days later during a guns-drawn traffic stop on state Highway 361 north of Culver.
In a separate case, Fuller admitted to being a member of a drug distribution conspiracy and possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Federal prosecutors said Fuller faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a 10-year mandatory minimum, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced next April 8 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.
As part of the plea agreement, Fuller has agreed to pay $517 in restitution.
The FBI, the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team and Madras Police Department investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Frank R. Papagni, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
