Missouri man pleads guilty in failed bitcoin robbery plot
4.6 Security Martel Williams, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a failed bitcoin robbery plot targeting a Connecticut family. The group abandoned the plan but still faces up to 20 years in prison.
Martel Williams, 27, from St. Louis, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, also known as Hobbs Act robbery. He admitted his role in a failed plot to steal bitcoin from a Connecticut family. The scheme began in August 2024, targeting a man believed to hold bitcoin worth hundreds of millions, linked to a major theft. Williams and two associates traveled to Connecticut, rented vehicles, and gathered supplies including air rifles, walkie-talkies, and a laptop. They conducted surveillance on the intended victim and his parents for two days, planning to break into the home, threaten the target, and force a cryptocurrency transfer. The group abandoned the plan due to concerns about security cameras and poor communication from their coordinators. Despite not carrying out the robbery, Williams faces up to 20 years in prison, as conspiracy charges apply to the agreement to commit a crime, not just its execution. The case underscores the risks crypto holders face from both online and physical threats.
