Violent Actions Extend Prison Sentence for Florida Resident
A 25-year-old Florida resident, Remy St Felix, drastically extended his prison sentence last week due to violent actions against a witness who helped bring him to justice. Initially sentenced to 47 years in prison in September for leading a series of violent home invasions targeting cryptocurrency owners, St Felix now faces an additional seven years for retaliating against the individual who testified against him.
Assault on Witness
In October, while detained at a facility in North Carolina, St Felix confronted this witness—who was restrained in handcuffs and shackles—and physically assaulted him, according to a release from the U.S. Justice Department. Authorities reported that St Felix berated the witness, calling him a “rat” while inflicting injuries to his face and body. Following his initial conviction on multiple charges, including kidnappings and firearms offenses, St Felix crudely blamed the witness for his own lengthy sentence, showing no remorse for his actions.
Increasing Violence in Cryptocurrency Crimes
This recent conviction comes against a backdrop of increasing violence related to cryptocurrency crimes, as these types of attacks—often termed “wrench attacks”—have surged in frequency. These assaults typically involve physical confrontations aiming to bypass sophisticated security measures, and they have raised significant alarm in regions such as Paris, where victims have endured extreme harm, including dismemberment. Notably, authorities have arrested several individuals linked to this disturbing trend; in June, the capture of a prime suspect marked a significant development in ongoing investigations.
Criminal Activities and Conspiracy
In the United States, St Felix’s criminal activity included a heinous incident where his group forcibly abducted a victim from their home in Florida, subsequently traveling 120 miles away to further assault the individual during captivity. In a separate case, a family in Texas was held for three hours under similar circumstances before their assailants stole cash and valuable items.
St Felix was part of a larger conspiracy involving 13 accomplices, together orchestrating raids that led to the theft of approximately $3.5 million in cryptocurrency. As part of his punishment, he has been ordered to pay nearly $524,000 in restitution to cover the stolen assets. In tandem with his sentencing, another collaborator in the operations, Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, received a 20-year sentence along with a staggering $4 million restitution order for aiding the gang with logistical support during the home invasions.
