Two 16-year-olds from Florida are facing adult charges for allegedly orchestrating a high-stakes crypto heist that ended with a Las Vegas businessman stranded in the Arizona desert. The teenagers each face 11 felony counts—including kidnapping, armed robbery, and crypto theft—following a dramatic incident that began after a blockchain networking event last November.
According to prosecutors, the suspects—both from Pasco County—targeted the victim after he hosted a crypto-related gathering in Downtown Las Vegas. He was reportedly abducted at gunpoint, forced into a vehicle, and driven across state lines to a remote desert location near Arizona.
Once there, the assailants allegedly coerced the victim into handing over access to his digital wallets, extracting nearly $4 million in cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Prosecutors say the teens may have been coordinating with a fourth accomplice via speakerphone during the heist.
The victim was then left alone in the desert and walked nearly five miles to the nearest gas station before reaching a friend for help. A third teenager allegedly involved in the crime is believed to be abroad and remains at large.
Violent Crypto Crimes on the Rise as Targets Multiply
The arrests highlight a disturbing new trend: a rise in violent, targeted attacks on crypto holders, often orchestrated by young or tech-savvy criminals.
In January, Ledger co-founder Pascal Gauthier was kidnapped in France, with attackers reportedly mutilating his hand in an attempt to extract a ransom in digital currency. Days later, French authorities disrupted another crypto-related kidnapping plot targeting the father of a crypto millionaire with a €5 million ransom demand.
The threat isn’t always based on accurate information. In Canada, a man was forced into hiding after criminals mistakenly believed he controlled billions in Bitcoin—when in reality, his holdings were only worth around $100,000.
Even high-profile influencers haven’t been spared. Twitch streamer Amouranth, a known crypto investor, fought off a home invasion in March after assailants demanded access to her digital assets. Similar incidents have been reported in the Philippines, Pakistan, and across the U.S., prompting increased calls for personal security among crypto holders.
Back in Las Vegas, one of the accused Florida teens has retained prominent criminal defense attorney Ross C. Goodman, while the other is represented by a public defender. Pre-trial motions are still pending as the investigation continues.
Experts warn that as digital assets become more mainstream and accessible, so too will real-world threats—turning crypto wealth into a potential life-and-death liability.
Quick Facts
- Two 16-year-old boys from Florida face 22 felony charges for kidnapping and robbing a crypto investor in the Arizona desert.
- The suspects allegedly stole nearly $4 million in digital assets after forcing the victim to give up his wallet credentials at gunpoint.
- The victim was abandoned and walked five miles through the desert to safety.
- The case reflects a rising global trend of violent crimes targeting crypto holders and influencers.
