St. Louis Trio Charged in Failed Plot to Kidnap Cryptocurrency Investor

A plot to kidnap a cryptocurrency investor and steal hundreds of millions in Bitcoin has been foiled, according to federal charges filed against three St. Louis men.

Sedric Louis, John Davis, and Martel Williams allegedly traveled to Connecticut with rental vehicles and air rifles, intending to force their way into the target's family home and demand cryptocurrency be transferred into accounts controlled by the scheme's organizers.

The plot unraveled when the trio left after fearing they had been captured on home security cameras and frustrated by a lack of communication with co-conspirators.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the intended target, whose parents were attacked in a separate violent carjacking, kidnapping, and attack on August 25, 2024, had participated in the theft of around $245 million in Bitcoin.