Florida man sentenced for leading violent cryptocurrency home invasion gang

FLORIDA — A Florida man has been sentenced to 47 years in federal prison for his role as the ringleader in a sophisticated and violent scheme targeting cryptocurrency holders through a series of home invasion robberies. Over a one-week period, 12 men were sentenced for their involvement in the high-stakes plot that spanned several states and involved millions of dollars in stolen assets, said the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Remy Ra St Felix, 25, of West Palm Beach, was identified as the mastermind behind a brutal string of home invasions, during which victims were held at gunpoint, tied with plastic cable ties, and assaulted while their cryptocurrency accounts were drained.

Mr St Felix was convicted in June 2023 after a federal jury trial in North Carolina. His sentence includes five years of supervised release and a court order to repay $524,153.39 in restitution.

The DOJ said St Felix and his crew, including Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, 23, also of West Palm Beach, initially began their crime spree by using SIM swapping—a technique to hijack victims’ phone numbers—to gain access to cryptocurrency accounts. However, their tactics reportedly escalated dramatically in 2022 when they began invading victims’ homes, wielding guns, and terrorizing families to force them to hand over their digital wealth.

In one case, a man and his family in Homestead were reportedly abducted, beaten, and held at gunpoint, with law enforcement finding the man over 120 miles from his home after the harrowing ordeal, said the DOJ.

Mr Seemungal, who reportedly played a key role in planning the attacks, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $4 million in restitution for his involvement. He pleaded guilty in December 2023 to charges including hacking victims’ cryptocurrency accounts and orchestrating violent home invasions.

St Felix’s downfall came in July 2023 when he is said to have traveled to Long Island, New York to rob a family of five. Before he could execute the plan, he was arrested by federal agents, who said they found two firearms and cable ties in his possession.

Court documents revealed chilling details about the crew’s planning. Using encrypted messaging apps, they shared photos of their targets, discussed their victims’ daily routines, and planned how to break into homes and bypass security systems.

The conspirators also are said to have coordinated additional home invasions in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia, with financial backing reportedly provided by West Palm Beach residents Haisel Daily, 22, and Ruben Matias Nicolopulos Silva, 22.

The other conspirators have faced similarly lengthy sentences for their roles in the scheme:

Jose Alfredo Avila, 27, of West Palm Beach: 20 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $365,100 in restitution.

Deangelo Lee Contreras, 21, of Houston: 15 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Haisel Daily, 22, of West Palm Beach: 25 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $524,153.39 in restitution.

Victor Gonzalez, 27, of Houston: 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Nathan Noel Quintana, 24, of Royal Palm Beach: 16 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $365,100 in restitution.

Ruben Matias Nicolopulos Silva, 22, of Lake Worth: 12 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and $524,153.39 in restitution.

Cristian Valdez, 21, of Houston: 12 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Jesus Gerardo Valdez Jr., 27, of Houston: 12 years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Jesus Manuel Santiago III, 23, of West Palm Beach, is awaiting sentencing on October 1 for conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Jesus Salazar, 24, of Houston: five years in prison, four years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Tristian Rene Gamez, 21, of Houston: eight years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $355,800 in restitution.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; and Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Durham Police Department and the FBI New York, Miami, Houston, Mobile, and Newark Field Offices.