Florida Man Convicted in Violent Crypto Theft Spree
Remy St Felix, of West Palm Beach, has been convicted on charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, and other crimes of violence for leading a multi-state gang that stole hundreds of millions in cryptocurrency through home invasions.
The scale of the Crime
24-year-old Florida resident Remy St Felix has been convicted for masterminding an international conspiracy involving home invasions, violent kidnappings, and assaults to steal Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from U.S. citizens.
According to Chainalysis, $1.7 billion in crypto was stolen last year, primarily through remote hacking of wallets and exchanges. However, physical thefts involving direct confrontation are significantly underreported. St Felix’s case stands out due to the aggressive and violent nature of the crimes.
The Conspiracy and Charges
Between September 2022 and July 2023, St Felix led a robbery crew that specifically targeted cryptocurrency owners through violent home invasions across multiple states, including North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and New York. Court documents reveal that victims were kidnapped in their homes, assaulted, and coerced into draining their cryptocurrency accounts.
St Felix was found guilty on nine counts, including conspiracy, kidnapping, and using a firearm to further crimes of violence. He is set to be sentenced on September 11, facing a prison term ranging from seven years to life.
Details of the Operation
Prosecutors detailed that St Felix and his gang meticulously planned their attacks. They hacked into email accounts and conducted physical surveillance of their targets. They communicated using encrypted messaging platforms, aiming to obscure their activities.
Once the stolen funds were obtained, they were laundered through anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies like Monero and instant exchanges such as Changelly, Shapeshift, and ChangeNOW, which do not require know-your-customer (KYC) procedures.
One such incident occurred in April 2023, when St Felix and a co-conspirator forcibly entered a victim’s home. The attackers zip-tied the victim, held them at gunpoint, and threatened further violence against the victim and their spouse. During this ordeal, over $150,000 in cryptocurrency was transferred from the victim’s account by the assailants.
Impact on Victims
U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina commented on the severity of the crimes, stating,
“The victims in this case suffered a horrible, painful experience that no citizen should have to endure. The defendant and his co-conspirators acted purely out of greed and callously terrorized those they targeted. The jury’s verdict in this case represents a vital step in securing justice for these victims.”
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.