A Florida man could spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted Tuesday of masterminding an allegedly violent, elusive robbery crew that tore through five states — committing home invasions, kidnappings and assaults, federal officials said.
What was the prize they were after? Cryptocurrency.
Remy St. Felix was found guilty in North Carolina federal court of nine counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, Hobbs Act robbery, wire fraud and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The West Palm Beach resident’s sentencing is scheduled for September. He faces a minimum of seven years or a maximum of life in prison.
The verdict came after all thirteen of St. Felix’s co-conspirators were arrested and pleaded guilty over the course of several months.
Authorities say St. Felix helped plan a series of robberies in Florida, Texas, New York and North Carolina between September 2022 and July 2023.
“Although the members of this violent conspiracy attempted to cover their tracks through encrypted communications and anonymous financial transactions, they were not beyond the reach of our dedicated investigators and prosecutors,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice. Criminal Justice Department.
In April 2023, Felix and an accomplice disguised as construction workers entered a victim’s home, according to court evidence.
The men tied up the victim, assaulted him, and held him and his wife at gunpoint. St. Felix then ordered the man to transfer more than $150,000 in cryptocurrency from his account.
“Engaging in violence in furtherance of cryptocurrency theft, as Remy St. Felix did, will not be tolerated by the FBI and its partners,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch from the FBI.
To get the man to comply, St. Felix threatened to cut off his toes, shoot him and rape his wife, according to a criminal complaint.
Evidence at the trial showed how St. Felix’s and his crew monitored their targets before launching house raids.
“The victims in this case suffered a terrible, painful experience that no citizen should have to endure,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina.
In July 2023, St. Felix was stopped on his way to another home invasion in New York.
