Three Missouri men have pleaded not guilty to a federal charge tied to an alleged plan to steal Bitcoin through a home invasion in Connecticut.
Summary
- Three Missouri men face a federal conspiracy charge over an alleged Connecticut Bitcoin robbery plan.
- Prosecutors say the group surveilled the intended target and his parents for two consecutive days.
- The Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy charge carries a maximum federal prison sentence of twenty years.
- Louis and Davis remain detained, while Williams pleaded not guilty and remains free on bond.
- Two admitted coordinators face August sentencing dates as the Connecticut prosecution continues in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced the charges on Aug. 4 against Sedric Louis, 32, John Davis, 34, and Martel Williams, 27, all of St. Louis.
A New Haven grand jury returned a second superseding indictment on May 22. It charged the three defendants with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, commonly known as Hobbs Act robbery. Federal law allows a sentence of up to 20 years, although any punishment would depend on a conviction and the court’s findings.
According to the Justice Department, the defendants traveled to Connecticut between Aug. 21 and Aug. 24, 2024. Prosecutors allege that they obtained rental vehicles, air rifles and walkie talkies before watching the intended target and his parents for two days.
The alleged plan involved entering the family’s home, threatening the target and forcing a transfer of Bitcoin to accounts controlled by the organizers. Prosecutors say the Missouri group left after fearing that home security cameras had recorded them and after losing confidence in the plan.
The charges connect to a later Connecticut kidnapping
The Justice Department says another group from Florida arrived after the Missouri men departed. Danbury police arrested six Florida men on Aug. 25, 2024, after a violent carjacking and the beating and kidnapping of two people.
Investigators identified the victims as the parents of a person who participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin. The latest release does not identify that person or state how much cryptocurrency the alleged home invasion crew expected to recover.
The three new defendants have denied the charge. Louis and Davis have remained detained since their June 25 arrests and pleaded not guilty on July 30. Williams pleaded not guilty on July 17 and was released on bond. The Justice Department stressed that “an indictment is not evidence of guilt” and that all three remain presumed innocent.
Guilty pleas already shape the broader federal case
The prosecution reaches beyond the three newly announced defendants. Adam Iza pleaded guilty on June 1 to the same Hobbs Act conspiracy offense. Prosecutors say he communicated with participants, directed logistics and supplied funding. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 12.
Saif Faiq pleaded guilty on June 8. The Justice Department says he recruited participants, traveled to Connecticut and helped conduct surveillance. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28. Six people charged over the later carjacking and kidnapping have also pleaded guilty, according to prosecutors.
The case reflects the use of physical coercion to target digital asset holders. As crypto.news previously reported, three men faced federal charges in a separate alleged $6.5 million cryptocurrency robbery involving kidnapping and forced transfers.
In related coverage, a French crypto worker fought off an armed intruder who allegedly sought access to cryptocurrency wallets.
What happens next in the Bitcoin robbery case
The Justice Department’s Aug. 4 announcement did not provide a trial date for Louis, Davis or Williams. The federal court will next address pretrial motions, evidence and scheduling unless the parties reach plea agreements.
The FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI offices in Los Angeles and St. Louis, and Danbury police are investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Daniel George are prosecuting the case. The scheduled August sentencings of Iza and Faiq may provide the next public updates in the broader prosecution.
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