Federal prosecutors charged three St. Louis men over a plan to storm a Connecticut home and force a transfer of bitcoin tied to a theft worth hundreds of millions. Each faces up to 20 years in prison.
Key Takeaways
Three St. Louis men face up to 20 years over a bitcoin robbery plot.The trio stalked a family for two days with air rifles and rental cars.A Florida crew arrived next, carjacking and kidnapping the parents.Prosecutors allege that the men who organized the scheme brought in the trio to do the work on the ground, forcing their way into a Connecticut home, threatening the person inside, and compelling him to move the stolen cryptocurrency into accounts controlled by the scheme’s coordinators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated:
“The investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of an individual who participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin.”
Louis and Davis have remained in custody since their arrests on June 25 and pleaded not guilty in Bridgeport federal court on July 30. Williams entered the same plea there on July 17 and was released on bond. Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.
Air Rifles, Rental Cars, and Two Days of SurveillanceBetween Aug. 21 and Aug. 24, 2024, the three traveled east to Connecticut, picked up rental vehicles, and gathered supplies that included air rifles and walkie talkies. For the next two days they watched the target and his parents, waiting for the moment the house would be open to them.
Guilty Pleas Mount Among the Alleged OrganizersFederal authorities described the arrangement:
“In an attempt to steal some of that Bitcoin, Faiq and others planned and coordinated the attempted robbery and ultimately the kidnapping.”
Six other individuals charged in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping have all pleaded guilty.
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