In a significant victory for law enforcement and cryptocurrency users, a federal jury in Greensboro, North Carolina, has convicted 24-year-old Remy St. Felix of West Palm Beach, Florida, for his role in orchestrating a series of violent home invasions targeting victims’ digital currency holdings.
St. Felix was found guilty on nine counts, including conspiracy, kidnapping, Hobbs Act robbery, wire fraud, and brandishing a firearm during his crypto-focused crimes. The conviction, delivered on June 25, came after a comprehensive trial that exposed St. Felix’s leadership in an international criminal conspiracy that specifically aimed to plunder the cryptocurrency assets of U.S. citizens.
“The victims in this case suffered a horrible, painful experience that no citizen should have to endure,” said Sandra J. Hairston, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, in a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
“The defendant and his co-conspirators acted purely out of greed and callously terrorized those they targeted.”
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that St. Felix and his associates carried out home invasions across multiple states, including North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and New York, between December 2022 and July 2023. Using physical violence, kidnapping, and threats, the gang forced victims to transfer their valuable cryptocurrency holdings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Charlotte Field Office spearheaded the comprehensive investigation, collaborating with other field offices and local law enforcement. Despite St. Felix and his accomplices employing sophisticated money-laundering tactics and encrypted communications, diligent investigators were able to connect the criminal activities, leading to their arrests and convictions.
“We are proud of the work that led to today’s conviction, which should act as a warning to others looking to participate in similar activity,”
said Timothy Langan,
Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch.
“We will not stop until you face the consequences of your actions.”
If you want to read more news articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.
“Take control of your crypto portfolio with Markets PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
