Three Missouri Men Charged in Failed Bitcoin Kidnapping Scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged three men from Missouri in connection with an alleged 2024 plot to kidnap a Bitcoin holder and force him to hand over his cryptocurrency.

Details of the Alleged Plot

According to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office, Sedric Louis, John Davis and Martel Williams were allegedly hired to abduct a Bitcoin owner and pressure him into transferring his crypto holdings to accounts controlled by the people behind the scheme. The trio reportedly traveled from St. Louis to Connecticut, where they rented vehicles and purchased air rifles as part of preparations to surveil their target.

Plan Abandoned Over Fear of Getting Caught

After watching the victim’s home for two days, the men reportedly called off the plan out of concern they would be caught on security cameras. Not long after, a separate group allegedly traveled from Florida in an attempt to carry out the same scheme.

Charges and Legal Status

All three men face charges of conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery under the Hobbs Act, a federal law that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Louis and Davis have remained in custody since their arrest on June 25, 2026, while Williams was released on bond. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Part of a Growing Trend in Crypto-Related Crime

This case adds to a rising pattern of physical attacks tied to cryptocurrency ownership. According to blockchain security firm CertiK, home invasions were the most frequently reported type of physical attack against crypto investors during the first half of 2026. The firm recorded 20 such incidents during that period, a sharp jump from just one reported case during the same timeframe the previous year.

Tags: Bitcoin Kidnapping, Crypto Crime, Missouri Case, Hobbs Act, Crypto Home Invasions, CertiK Report, Cryptocurrency Security, Bitcoin Robbery