Missouri man pleads guilty in Bitcoin kidnapping conspiracy

Martel Williams, 27, of St. Louis, has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. The plea relates to a failed plot to extort cryptocurrency from a family in Connecticut.

Prosecutors state that Williams and two associates traveled to Connecticut in August 2024 to participate in a home invasion intended to recover approximately 4,100 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $245 million at the time. The target was reportedly linked to a major Bitcoin theft from a Genesis creditor. While Williams and his crew abandoned the plan due to concerns regarding home security cameras, the conspiracy charge applies to the agreement to commit the crime.

A separate group from Florida eventually carried out a violent carjacking and kidnapping of the target's parents on August 25, 2024. Several individuals from that Florida-based group have already entered guilty pleas. Williams faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and remains free on bond pending sentencing.