US prosecutors have charged three Tennessee men over an alleged robbery and kidnapping spree targeting cryptocurrency holders in California. According to reports from the Justice Department, the indictment was filed on March 31 and unsealed after the men were arrested. The defendants are Elijah Armstrong, 21, Nino Chindavanh, 21, and Jayden Rucker, 25. The alleged targets were based in San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Los Angeles. US Attorney Craig Missakian described the alleged scheme as "sophisticated, brazen, violent and dangerous," stating that the individuals "terrorized their victims in the hopes of stealing vast sums of cryptocurrency."
The men allegedly posed as delivery workers to gain entry into victims' homes, using firearms, duct tape, and zip ties to restrain victims and demand access to crypto accounts. As reported by the Justice Department, in one case, a victim was allegedly forced at gunpoint to sign into crypto accounts. A co-conspirator then transferred about $6.5 million in digital assets to a wallet controlled by the group. FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo emphasized that the crimes put innocent people at risk, noting that the case involved robbery, kidnapping, and the theft of millions in crypto. The prosecution was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, San Francisco Police Department, San Jose Police Department, Sunnyvale Police Department and Los Angeles Police Department.
The case adds to growing concern over crypto wrench attacks, which involve physical threats or violence used to force victims to transfer assets or reveal account access details. According to reports, market updates have tracked similar cases in France, including home invasions, kidnappings, and forced wallet access. French prosecutors recently charged 88 people in cases tied to alleged crypto wrench attacks, with authorities recording 18 incidents in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026. The FBI's Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo emphasized that the case involved robbery, kidnapping, and the theft of millions in crypto, stating the FBI would work with local partners to pursue people who target victims for digital assets.
Armstrong, Chindavanh, and Rucker remain in federal custody. According to the Justice Department, Armstrong and Rucker were arrested in Los Angeles on December 31, 2025, while Chindavanh was arrested in Sunnyvale on December 22, 2025. Chindavanh made his first federal court appearance in San Francisco on April 14, 2026, while Armstrong and Rucker made their first appearances on May 11, 2026. The defendants are scheduled for their next court appearances on May 12 for Armstrong and Rucker's appointment of counsel before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson, and Chindavanh's June 26 status hearing before U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson. If convicted, they face prison terms and fines tied to robbery and kidnapping charges, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each Hobbs Act robbery count, and maximum life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit kidnapping charges.
