Crypto: Wallet thieves heavily convicted in Florida

A 25-year-old man from Florida has been sentenced to 47 years in prison for orchestrating a series of violent burglaries aimed at stealing millions in crypto. This case highlights the increase in violent crypto-related crimes.

A sophisticated gang operating across multiple states

Remy Ra St. Felix, 25, has been sentenced to 47 years in prison for orchestrating a series of home invasions aimed at stealing crypto. At the head of a criminal group operating from Florida to New York, St. Felix had developed a well-rehearsed modus operandi.

Their strategy first involved identifying crypto holders through sophisticated methods. The gang used online account hacking, illegal SIM swapping, and careful surveillance of their potential targets. Once the victim was chosen, they acted by executing burglaries under the threat of weapons.

Their series of violent crimes began in September 2022 in Delray Beach, where they held a family hostage before kidnapping the father. Three months later in Texas, another family was held captive for over 3 hours.

But it was in North Carolina, in April 2023, that the gang made their most lucrative hit. After days of preparation, they broke into a couple’s home, tied them up, and beat them before fleeing with $150,000 in crypto.

In total, St. Felix’s gang is believed to have stolen the equivalent of 3.5 million dollars in crypto before justice ended their criminal activities.

Exemplary sentences for the entire criminal network

While St. Felix received the heaviest sentence, his accomplices were not spared. Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, 23, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 4 million dollars in restitution. Jose Alfredo Avila, 27, is serving a 20-year sentence with a fine of 365,100 dollars.

In total, 12 people were convicted in this case, with sentences ranging from 5 to 47 years in prison. The restitution amounts ordered exceed well over a million dollars for some defendants.

This case marks a turning point in the crackdown on crypto-related crimes in the United States. Faced with an increase in thefts and scams targeting the crypto sector, authorities are clearly taking a tougher stance.