Texas brothers plead guilty in $8M crypto kidnapping

The brothers traveled from Texas to Minnesota on September 19, 2025, to execute the heist. Prosecutors detailed a harrowing ordeal where the victims were separated: the man was taken to a remote cabin three hours away, while his wife and son remained captive in their home. Under the threat of firearms, the primary victim was compelled to drain his hardware wallets and online accounts. The situation collapsed only after the son managed to place an emergency call, prompting Washington County sheriff’s deputies to intervene and recover weapons used in the commission of the crime.

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen confirmed the guilty pleas for interference with commerce by robbery, a charge carrying up to 20 years in prison. Beyond potential incarceration, both defendants have agreed to pay over $8 million in full restitution. This incident is part of a broader trend identified by security firm CertiK, which reported a 75% increase in crypto-related kidnappings in 2025. With losses from such assaults reaching $101 million in the first four months of 2026 alone, authorities in jurisdictions from Connecticut to France are grappling with the rising physical risks facing digital asset investors.