Man Convicted for International Home Invasion and Cryptocurrency Theft Conspiracy
A man was convicted Tuesday for his involvement in an international conspiracy that involved breaking into homes, violently kidnapping and assaulting people, and stealing their Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.
Incident in Durham
One notable incident occurred in Durham in April 2023, where an elderly couple was bound by zip ties and forced at gunpoint to transfer over $150,000 in cryptocurrency to an unknown account.
Series of Robberies
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Remy St Felix helped plan and orchestrate a series of robberies from September 2022 to July 2023 across Durham, Florida, Texas, and New York. Court documents revealed St Felix led a robbery team that specifically targeted cryptocurrency owners through home invasions.
Deceptive Tactics
On April 12, 2023, two men disguised as construction workers knocked on the elderly couple's door on Wells Street, pretending to check the pipes. Once inside, they pulled out guns and zip-tied the 76-year-olds, threatening them with horrific violence.
U.S. Attorney's Statement
"The victims in this case suffered a terrible and painful experience that no citizen should have to endure,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “The defendant and his co-conspirators acted purely out of greed and showed no mercy to those they targeted. The jury's verdict is a crucial step towards justice for these victims.”
Communication and Compromisation
Prosecutors explain that St Felix was in communication with Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, who instructed him on how to make the husband transfer the cryptocurrency. Seemungal allegedly had detailed knowledge about the victim's account, suggesting it had already been compromised. The robbers successfully stole $156,853 in three transactions, but a fourth was flagged and denied by Coinbase, according to the complaint.
Evidence and Arrest
Investigators obtained phone records of the plotting, alongside personal information about the husband, such as a driver's license photo and license plate number. The FBI arrested St Felix in July 2023 while he was en route to commit another home invasion in New York. He is scheduled for sentencing on September 11.
Justice Department's Remarks
“St Felix and his co-conspirators targeted victims across the United States for brutal home invasions, kidnappings, and robberies to steal cryptocurrency,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "Despite using encrypted communication and anonymous financial transactions to evade capture, they were not beyond the reach of our dedicated investigators and prosecutors. The jury’s verdict today, part of over a dozen convictions in this case, reinforces our commitment to bringing violent offenders to justice, regardless of the technical complexities of their crimes."
