Convict Overseeing Bitcoin Break-in Case Receives Additional Jail Term for Assaulting Testifying Party
In a landmark ruling, Remy St Felix, a 24-year-old cryptocurrency thief, has been sentenced to an additional 7 years in prison for attacking a witness. This comes after St Felix pleaded guilty to one count of retaliation against a witness for testimony in a criminal trial in May.
St Felix's criminal exploits stretch back to June, when he was arrested in France in connection with the "Wrench Attacks." The name of the mastermind behind the attacks has not been disclosed, but it is known that a 24-year-old was among those arrested.
St Felix's criminal activities are not limited to cybercrime. He and his crew, which includes unnamed associates, have been charged with stealing $3.5 million worth of cryptocurrency. They have also been implicated in a series of violent home invasions. One such incident involved the abduction of an individual from their Florida home, followed by a brutal beating while they were held hostage.
The witness against St Felix testified in a case involving home invasions and crypto thefts. In October, during a detention centre attack in North Carolina, St Felix assaulted the witness, causing injuries to the face, head, and body. The witness later testified that St Felix called them a "rat" during the attack.
St Felix's actions did not go unpunished. He was ordered to pay $524,000 in restitution for the stolen assets. Additionally, 36 months of his sentence are expected to run concurrent to his previous sentence, effectively adding nearly 4 more years to his total prison time on paper.
The "Wrench Attacks" have been a cause for concern in France, with multiple victims reporting their fingers being severed. This week, another "wrench attack" was reported in France. Authorities in the Paris region have made dozens of arrests related to these attacks.
Another co-conspirator, Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $4 million in restitution for providing resources to the home invasion team.
As the world becomes increasingly digital, so too does the threat of cybercrime. The case of Remy St Felix serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of such crimes and the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice.
