Crypto Influencer 'BitBoy' Arrested and Charged in Georgia Following Live-Streaming Incident
Summary:
Crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, also known as 'BitBoy,' was recently arrested and charged with 'loitering/prowling' and 'simple assault by causing fear to another,' spending more than 8 hours in jail. The charges stem from an incident where Armstrong was live-streaming outside a former associate's house in Georgia. After his release, Armstrong announced a brief hiatus from social media. This incident is part of an ongoing dispute between Armstrong and the Hit Network, which controls the 'BitBoy Crypto' brand.
Ben Armstrong, a notable figure in the cryptocurrency world commonly known as 'BitBoy,' was recently arrested and faced two charges, which occurred on the night of September 25 when he was live streaming outside a previous collaborator's residence. According to the Sheriff's Office in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Armstrong spent more than 8 hours behind bars. Although he has now been released on bail, he was charged with 'loitering/prowling' and 'simple assault by causing fear to another,' with a bail set at $2,600 and an additional $40 in fees.
In Georgia's legal context, loitering or prowling typically applies to a situation where an individual's presence, either in terms of time or behavior, may arouse justifiable alarm or immediate safety concerns for nearby people or property, as explained by Lawson & Berry, a law firm based in Georgia. A misdemeanor charge for these offenses could result in a fine up to $1,000, jail time up to one year, or both.
Simple assault, on the other hand, can refer to either an attempt to cause violent harm to another person or performing actions that can lead another to fear impending violent harm. Like loitering, a conviction for simple assault is typically considered a misdemeanor in Georgia, though there could be cases where the severity escalates.
After his release, Armstrong jokingly reacted to his charges, referring to himself a loiterer and commenting on his 8-hour stay in jail. He later announced a temporary hiatus from social media, clarifying that it was not in reaction to online memes. His arrest photo, or 'mug shot,' has been circulating on cryptocurrency-focused social media platforms.
Prior to his arrest, Armstrong had visited his ex-colleague, Carlos Diaz's house, claiming that Diaz had his Lamborghini. His live broadcast and rants went on for about 19 minutes before the police arrived and apprehended him. A crypto trader known as "EmperorBTC" warned his 360,000 followers that this incident served as a lesson for all.
This incident is linked to an ongoing disagreement between Ben Armstrong and the Hit Network, the entity controlling the 'BitBoy Crypto' brand. The company and its leadership severed ties with Armstrong in August, attributing this decision to issues related to Armstrong's alleged substance abuse and financial harm caused to employees.
Published At
9/27/2023 4:03:58 AM
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