DANBURY, CT — Three males from California, Missouri and Georgia have been charged in a widening federal investigation right into a 2024 kidnapping in Danbury that authorities say was linked to a dispute over stolen cryptocurrency.
Federal prosecutors mentioned Wednesday {that a} superseding indictment returned Oct. 28 and unsealed this week provides fees towards Adam Iza, 25, of California, and Saif Faiq, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri. Each at the moment are charged alongside James Schwab, 22, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, who was previously indicted in February.
All three face counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to intrude with commerce by theft.
The case stems from an Aug. 25, 2024, incident during which Danbury police charged six Florida men with carjacking a Lamborghini Urus and abducting two folks contained in the automobile. Investigators later discovered the victims had been the mother and father of a person suspected of involvement within the theft of tons of of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in cryptocurrency.
In accordance with court docket paperwork, prosecutors say Schwab, Iza and Faiq coordinated the scheme. Schwab had been concerned in a July 2024 altercation with the victims’ son at a Miami nightclub and later communicated with among the individuals, offering cash and arranging journey and lodging, authorities mentioned.
Iza allegedly used cellphones and encrypted messaging apps to direct logistics and likewise equipped funding. Faiq is accused of recruiting individuals, touring to Connecticut for a deliberate dwelling invasion, working with Iza and conducting surveillance on the victims.
Schwab was arrested Jan. 29 and is free on a $1.5 million secured bond. Faiq was arrested Nov. 12 and stays in custody awaiting arraignment in Connecticut. Iza has been detained since September 2024 in an unrelated federal case in California.
The kidnapping conspiracy cost carries a possible life sentence. The theft conspiracy rely carries as much as 20 years.
Six different folks charged within the carjacking and kidnapping have pleaded responsible.
U.S. Legal professional David X. Sullivan mentioned the indictment shouldn’t be proof of guilt and that every one defendants are presumed harmless until confirmed responsible.
The case is being investigated by a number of FBI area places of work and the Danbury Police Division, with help from state and native legislation enforcement.
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