Florida Man Convicted for Leading Violent Crypto-Theft Home Invasions Across U.S.
Summary:
Remy St. Felix, a 24-year-old Florida resident, has been convicted of leading several violent home invasions aimed at stealing cryptocurrencies across multiple U.S. states. The crimes included brute force, kidnapping, and threats to coerce victims into transferring their cryptocurrency holdings to the criminals. The FBI-led investigation revealed their use of advanced money-laundering methods and encrypted communications to mask their actions. On his conviction, law enforcement officials warned potential criminals of the consequences of such illicit activities.
Remy St. Felix, aged 24 from West Palm Beach, Florida, has been found guilty by a federal jury in Greensboro, North Carolina, for orchestrating several brutal home invasions with the motive of pilfering victims' cryptocurrencies. Nine charges including conspiracy, abduction, Hobbs Act theft, wire scams, and wielding a weapon in pursuit of his illicit crypto activities, were laid against St. Felix. His conviction on June 25 came after a court trial that revealed his central role in an international scheme intending to rob U.S. inhabitants of their crypto assets.
A U.S. Department of Justice press release quotes Sandra J. Hairstone, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, condemning the criminal acts as "horrible, painful experience", expressing that citizens shouldn't have to endure them. She spotlighted the sole motivation of the defendants being avarice and their ruthless terrorization of the targets.
As per court records and evidence presented during the trial, it was established that St. Felix and his accomplices executed break-ins in several states, among them North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and New York. Running from December 2022 till July 2023, the criminal unit employed brute force, kidnapping, and threats to coerce victims into disbursing their crypto wealth to the culprits.
One particularly severe case reported on April 12, 2023, involved St. Felix and his partner in crime, Elmer Ruben Castro, breaking into a residence, confining their victims with zip-ties, and necessitating them to unlock their crypto accounts.
The investigation of these multi-state crypto crimes was spearheaded by the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, with backup from other entities and local law enforcement. Investigators discovered that St. Felix and his fellow criminals had concealed their activities using advanced money-washing methods and secure communication.
Through diligent efforts, the criminal investigators managed to link the crime gang’s operations, leading to the apprehension of the offenders and ensuring their liability. Echoing the team's successful efforts, Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch shared his pride in the work resulting in the present conviction, cautioning those involved in such illicit activities of the inevitable consequences.
Published At
6/26/2024 10:36:46 AM
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