US Secret Service Agent Charged with Cryptocurrency Theft
Date: 2024-12-16 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
Using his official position, he gained access to the private keys of a Nano S hardware crypto wallet, which was seized as evidence in one of the investigations. A few weeks later, Evans transferred the crypto assets to two wallets belonging to him. He later exchanged most of these funds for fiat currency, which brought him a profit of about $56,000, according to the prosecutor's office.
The illegally obtained funds were distributed among several of Evans' bank accounts. As the investigation found out, he used them for personal needs, including paying off debts and repaying a loan. The prosecution specified that Evans’ actions caused significant financial damage, as the stolen funds not only deprived the owner of the assets, but also of potential income that could have been obtained as a result of the increase in the market value of the cryptocurrency.
According to the charges, Evans faces up to one year in prison. In addition, he will be required to reimburse not only the value of the stolen assets, but also the estimated lost profits of their owner for the entire period while the cryptocurrency remained in the attacker’s possession. This case highlights the importance of protecting digital assets even when they are seized by law enforcement.
A similar incident recently occurred in Australia. Federal Police officer William Whitley was charged with stealing 82 bitcoins seized as part of an investigation into drug trafficking for cryptocurrency. Unlike Evans, Whitley denied all charges, and his lawyer said that the evidence against his client is circumstantial and intends to challenge it in court. The trial in this case is ongoing.
These cases highlight the need for increased oversight of digital assets under law enforcement custody to prevent their unauthorized use.
