The ringleader had initiated a Telegram conversation to coordinate the kidnapping, allegedly referring to the group’s members as the “goons.”
According to the FBI, there is a bizarre scheme to abduct a Miami jeweller and seize $2 million in cryptocurrency. A confidential source had informed law enforcement about the intended abduction, according to a court filing.
They stated that a man named “Jack” had organized a group that was preparing to conduct a strike on the morning of January 13.
The ringleader had initiated a Telegram conversation to coordinate the kidnapping, allegedly referred to the group’s members as the “goons.”
The victim, who is employed at the Seybold jewellery building, was depicted in screenshots as verifying that he had a significant quantity of cryptocurrency in his possession and was willing to exchange it for cash.
FBI Special Agent Ryan Dreibelbis stated that “Jack” composed messages regarding the abduction’s execution and stated, “I advised them not to inflict any harm or harm upon him. We simply must retrieve him.”
On the day of the abduction, other members of the group disclosed that they would use Mac-10s and .223 assault-style rifles.
The confidential source disclosed that they had been requested to furnish the vehicle that would be employed for the kidnapping. Then, it was determined that “D,” a towering black man, would be responsible for delivering one.
However, law enforcement installed GPS monitoring and recording devices in the Chevy Tahoe prior to its transfer. Subsequently, a covert agent assumed the identity of “D” in order to interact with one of the suspects in person.
Officers accosted the four men implicated in the scheme as they convened on the day of the kidnapping. Three individuals attempted to escape, but they were promptly apprehended. Additionally, a fourth individual who fled was apprehended at a nearby business.
The recorded conversations between them appeared to indicate that they had intended to administer a “nice whack” to the victim, but they were hesitant to inflict brain damage.
Abduction conspiracy and attempted abduction are the charges against Evan Puckett, Tre’von Anthony Neal, Zacary Briggs, and Aaron Hammond.
They are currently being detained in prison without parole and are scheduled to appear in court in Florida on Tuesday.
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