FBI Agent Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $1M in Cryptocurrency
A former supervisory FBI agent has pleaded guilty to stealing over $1 million in cryptocurrency through unauthorized access to internal agency systems. Patrick Steven Yaroch admitted to 10 transfers between late 2024 and early 2025, which involved an estimated total of about $1 million in digital assets.
Prosecutors said some of the stolen funds were deposited into Suilend to generate yield, indicating a deliberate attempt to maximize profits from the illicit gains. Yaroch's actions also highlight the risks of insider access and credential misuse in the crypto era.
The case is part of a broader pattern of agent-linked crypto theft, with similar cases involving former DEA special agents Carl M. Force and Shaun W. Bridges, who were convicted of stealing Bitcoin during investigations into the Silk Road marketplace.