Three men charged in US over alleged Bitcoin kidnap plot
- The US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut has charged three men from St Louis — Sedric Louis, John Davis, and Martel Williams — with conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery, alleging they plotted to break into a residence and force victims to transfer cryptocurrency linked to a multi-hundred-million-dollar Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) theft.
- Each of the three defendants faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the conspiracy charge.
- Prosecutors allege the trio travelled to Connecticut between 21 and 24 August 2024, rented a vehicle, and prepared equipment including airsoft guns and walkie-talkies in preparation for the alleged operation.
According to the indictment, the three men surveilled the target and his parents for two consecutive days before abandoning the operation due to concerns that home security cameras would record their movements and expose their identities.
Prosecutors allege that a separate group of individuals from Florida subsequently executed the same plan, with six people arrested on 25 August 2024 in connection with a Lamborghini Urus carjacking.
Louis and Davis have been in custody since their arrest on 25 June 2026 and entered not guilty pleas at Bridgeport Federal Court on 30 July 2026.
Williams entered a not guilty plea on 17 July 2026 and was granted bail following his court appearance.
Prosecutors clarified that the individuals targeted in the alleged plot were the parents of people connected to the multi-hundred-million-dollar Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) theft, rather than the theft suspects themselves.
The indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt, and all three defendants maintain their innocence at this stage of the legal proceedings.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $64,923.62.
