Florida Man Indicted in Series of Home Attacks Related to Digital Currency

In a significant legal development involving crypto, Remy St. Felix, a 24-year-old from West Palm Beach, Florida, was recently found guilty by a federal judge in Greensboro, North Carolina, of planning a series of violent home invasions against crypto-owners. states, including North Carolina, Florida, Texas and New York.

This case sheds light on the growing criminal trend where owners of digital assets are attacked directly from their homes, which shows the increase in traditional crime and the crypto market.

Extensive Investigation Leads to Conviction

St. Felix, who faced multiple charges, including conspiracy, kidnapping, and Hobbs Act robbery, was found guilty of using extreme measures to extort crypto assets from his victims.

The case brought to the fore the brutal realities faced by victims who endured not only the theft of their digital currencies but also physical violence and intimidation. According to evidence presented in April 2023, St Felix, along with his friend, broke into the victim’s residence.

Inside, they attacked the victim, covered him with blankets, and pointed a gun at him. During this time, St Felix and his friend threatened to harm the victim and their partner as the other accomplices transferred over $150,000 in cryptocurrency to the victim’s account.

US Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina commented:

The victims in this case went through a painful, painful experience that no citizen should have to endure. The accused and his accomplices conspired out of selfishness and terrorized those they targeted.

Notably, the successful conviction of St. Felix was the culmination of a “detailed and extensive” investigation led by the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, in cooperation with various other bureaus and local police departments, according to the report.

Investigators used advanced scientific techniques to track encrypted communications and money laundering tactics used by St. Felix and his colleagues. Senior Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Judicial Division, said:

St. Felix and his co-conspirators targeted victims across the United States with brutal home invasions, kidnappings, and robberies to steal cryptocurrency. Although members of this violent conspiracy tried to cover their tracks with secret communications and anonymous financial transactions, they were unable to reach our dedicated investigators and prosecutors.

Crypto Darkness

At the time, this conviction occurred against the increasing use of cryptocurrencies in various illegal activities.

A recent report from the US Department of the Treasury revealed an increase in the use of secret money in crimes such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation, with more than 412 million dollars reported in such cases in two years.

These reports show the dark side of digital currencies and emphasize the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and improved surveillance mechanisms to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes.

The featured image was created with DALL-E, a Chart from TradingView