A 25-year-old Florida man has been sentenced to 47 years in prison for orchestrating a series of violent robberies aimed at stealing millions in crypto, a case that highlights the rise in violent crypto-related crimes.
Sophisticated gang operating in multiple states
Remy Ra St. Felix, 25, was sentenced to 47 years in prison for orchestrating a series of home invasions to steal crypto. As the leader of a criminal group operating from Florida to New York, St. Felix had developed a well-honed modus operandi.
Their strategy was to first identify crypto holders using sophisticated methods. The gang used hacking online accounts, illegally swapping SIM cards and carefully monitoring their potential targets. Once the victim was chosen, they would take action by carrying out burglaries at gunpoint.
Their violent crime spree began in September 2022 in Delray Beach, where they held a family captive before kidnapping the father. Three months later in Texas, another family was held captive for more than 3 hours.
But it was in North Carolina in April 2023 that the gang pulled off their most lucrative heist. After several days of planning, they broke into a couple's home, tied them up and beat them, before fleeing with $150,000 in crypto.
In total, the St. Felix gang allegedly stole the equivalent of $3.5 million in crypto before justice put an end to their criminal activities.
Exemplary sentences for the entire criminal network
While St. Felix received the harshest sentence, his accomplices were not spared. Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, 23, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and $4 million in restitution. Jose Alfredo Avila, 27, is serving a 20-year sentence and a $365,100 fine.
In total, 12 people were convicted in this case, with sentences ranging from 5 to 47 years in prison. The amounts of restitution ordered largely exceed one million dollars for some defendants.
This case marks a turning point in the crackdown on crypto-related crimes in the United States. Faced with the increase in thefts and scams targeting the crypto sector, the authorities are clearly toughening their stance.
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