Former FBI agent Patrick Yaroch pleads guilty to stealing $2.47 million in crypto from bureau investigations
Former FBI agent Patrick Steven Yaroch has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after using credentials from FBI systems to steal nearly $2.5 million in cryptocurrency across 35 separate investigations.
Patrick Steven Yaroch, a 37-year-old former FBI agent, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges for carrying out a scheme to steal cryptocurrency, according to reports by The Block and CryptoSlate. Prosecutors said Yaroch leveraged his bureau access and wallet credentials found in classified records to siphon approximately $2.47 million in digital assets connected to 35 separate investigations, including an FBI operational wallet.[1][2][3]
Beginning in December 2024, Yaroch executed roughly 100 fraudulent transfers and laundered the illicit proceeds across various accounts and cryptocurrency transactions to conceal their origins. Decrypt reported that Yaroch drained the wallets using credentials gathered by the FBI and subsequently sought advice from ChatGPT on starting a new life in Europe.[1][3]
Prosecutors stated that Yaroch's theft and money laundering compromised both criminal and national security investigations. Yaroch now faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 4, 2027.[3]
Key facts
- Former FBI agent Patrick Steven Yaroch, 37, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges.
- Yaroch stole approximately $2.47 million in cryptocurrency tied to 35 separate investigations, including funds from an FBI operational wallet.
- The thefts were conducted using wallet credentials obtained from classified bureau records and FBI systems.
- Yaroch executed roughly 100 fraudulent transfers starting in December 2024 and laundered the funds through multiple accounts and transactions.
- Decrypt reported that Yaroch asked ChatGPT for guidance on starting a new life in Europe.
- Prosecutors said Yaroch's actions compromised criminal and national security investigations.
- Yaroch faces up to 20 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for March 4, 2027.
Sources · 3 sources
- DE
DecryptArticle ·
Former FBI Agent Pleads Guilty to Stealing $2.5M in Crypto From 35 Investigations Patrick Yaroch drained wallets using credentials the FBI had collected, then asked ChatGPT for advice on starting a new life in Europe.
Open source - CR
CryptoSlate@CryptoSlatePost on X ·
A former FBI agent used wallet credentials from classified records to steal crypto, including from a bureau operational wallet, DOJ says. Patrick Yaroch pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering over the $2.47M scheme. via @hardeyjumoh https://t.co/XNkx0rQgnE
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: A former FBI agent has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after using his access to FBI systems to steal approximately $2.47 million in cryptocurrency tied to 35 separate investigations. Patrick Steven Yaroch, 37, conducted roughly 100 fraudulent transfers beginning in December 2024, then moved the stolen funds through multiple cryptocurrency transactions and accounts to conceal their origins. Prosecutors said his actions compromised criminal and national security investigations. He faces up to 20 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4, 2027.
Open source