Two teenagers from Pasco County, Florida, aged just 16, are facing 22 felony charges each, following their alleged involvement in a high-profile kidnapping and cryptocurrency theft. The duo reportedly abducted a man following a crypto-related business event in Las Vegas in November.
The unfortunate victim was driven for an hour across the Arizona border to a remote desert location. The teens then allegedly forced him to relinquish access to his digital financial accounts, which led to the theft of NFTs and cryptocurrency valued at a staggering $4 million.
A third accomplice, also a teenager, is currently facing charges but is reportedly no longer residing in the United States, as per the prosecutor’s statement. The first report of the case emerged from a Las Vegas local news outlet, 8newsnow.
Reports suggest that the teens may have received assistance from a person communicating with them over speakerphone. After the ordeal, the victim had to traverse five miles across the desert alone to reach a gas station and call a friend for help.
One of the 16-year-olds has engaged the services of renowned defense attorney Ross C. Goodman, as shown by Las Vegas court records. The other teen has sought the assistance of a public defender. No comments have been received from Goodman’s office yet.
This incident marks the latest in a worrying trend of violent crimes targeted at individuals with substantial cryptocurrency holdings. Earlier this year, the co-founder of Ledger was kidnapped and tortured in France, with the criminals demanding a hefty cryptocurrency ransom. Furthermore, a Canadian man was reportedly forced into hiding after being targeted for a kidnapping attempt due to his perceived bitcoin wealth.
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