FBI Agent Steals $900k in Crypto, Faces Charges After 'Screwing Up'

An FBI agent has been accused of stealing over $900,000 in cryptocurrency from accounts monitored by the bureau. Patrick Steven Yaroch, a 37-year-old agent, discovered the holdings while serving on an FBI national security investigations team focused on a 'hostile nation.' He allegedly became frustrated with what he viewed as government inaction over the misuse of crypto accounts and exploited his internal access to transfer the digital assets into his own account.

Prosecutors say Yaroch's actions were motivated by his desire to stop an unidentified individual from using the crypto accounts. However, instead of following proper protocol, he used his position to steal from the very accounts he was tasked with monitoring.

The agent was arrested last week and has since been dismissed by the FBI. He faces charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and receipt of stolen property. When questioned about the allegations, Yaroch admitted 'I screwed up.'