Attorney General Jackley Urges Congress to Strengthen Federal Penalties for ATM Robberies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878   

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that he is joining 14 other Attorneys General in urging Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act, which the coalition calls critical legislation that would help to prosecute the organized crime rings that are robbing ATMs nationwide.

Currently, federal law provides strong penalties for robberies involving banks and financial institutions, but it does not provide the same consistent protection for ATMs, particularly those located away from bank branches. The Safe Access to Cash Act would modernize the Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934 to ensure crimes involving off-site and standalone ATMs can be prosecuted as federal offenses, including those located at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, malls, and other community locations.

“Bad actors who target ATMs through threats and violence should be held to the same standards as those who rob banks,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “Congress needs to update federal law to meet this emerging threat.”

Other Attorneys General who are part of the coalition are from: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.

Safe Access to Cash Act Letter 

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