A Minnesota family was held at gunpoint for more than eight hours inside their own home and forced to transfer over $8 million in cryptocurrency, according to court records. Two men have now pleaded guilty to carrying out the scheme, admitting they used firearms during the robbery. Each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The home invasion
The attack unfolded when the two men broke into the family's residence, brandishing weapons. They kept the family hostage for over eight hours, demanding access to their crypto holdings. Under duress, the victims transferred more than $8 million worth of digital assets to accounts controlled by the perpetrators.
Details of how the perpetrators identified the family or selected the home have not been made public. But the case fits a broader pattern of violent crypto-targeted crime that law enforcement has warned about for years.
Guilty pleas
Both men pleaded guilty to charges related to the robbery. Their pleas include admissions that firearms were involved — a factor that typically triggers enhanced sentencing guidelines. The U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota has not released the names of the defendants, citing ongoing proceedings.
Each charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years behind bars. Actual sentences will depend on federal guidelines and the judge's discretion. The men remain in custody pending sentencing.
Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled. The victims, whose identities are sealed, have been offered counseling and relocation assistance, according to victim advocate filings. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder that crypto wealth doesn't always stay digital — sometimes it brings danger to the front door.
