A Rolls-Royce traffic stop in North Miami helped lead investigators to a Canadian man now tied to a federal cryptocurrency case involving more than $13 million in stolen digital assets.
Trenton Richard David Johnston, 20, has pleaded guilty to a money-laundering conspiracy in U.S. District Court in Miami, according to CryptoBriefing, which cited court records.
The Justice Department said in May that Johnston and other co-conspirators allegedly impersonated support representatives from a popular search engine and cryptocurrency-related companies to gain access to victims’ digital accounts and crypto wallets.
Once they had access, prosecutors said the conspirators transferred victims’ cryptocurrency for their own benefit. The DOJ said losses exceeded $13 million, with additional victims still being identified.
Prosecutors Said Fake Support Calls Led to Crypto Wallets
The federal indictment said Johnston and others posed as support representatives from a major search engine and crypto-related companies.
CryptoBriefing reported that the scheme involved impersonating tech support personnel from companies such as Google. One victim alone lost about 185 Bitcoin, worth roughly $13 million at the time of the theft, according to the outlet.
Cointelegraph, in a report syndicated by TradingView, reported that victims were pushed through fake support scenarios involving Google, Coinbase, and Trezor accounts.
The Money Went Toward Cars, Jewelry, and Private Jets
The DOJ said Johnston and Miami resident Brandon Michael Tardibone were accused of laundering fraud proceeds through transactions meant to hide where the money came from.
Prosecutors said more than $1 million in illicit proceeds was used to lease luxury vehicles, buy high-end jewelry, and fund an extravagant nightlife and entertainment lifestyle.
Crypto-news reports said the spending included BMWs, a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, a private jet rental, plane tickets, and a rental home in North Miami.
The Rolls-Royce Stop Brought Investigators to His Devices
CryptoBriefing reported that the case began to break open after a March traffic stop in North Miami involving a Rolls-Royce Cullinan driven by Johnston.
According to the outlet, investigators later seized a computer, cellphone, and handwritten notes that helped connect him to the crypto theft. The DOJ’s May announcement did not include those traffic-stop details; its release focused on the indictment, alleged support-impersonation scheme, and money-laundering charges.
Phemex, citing crypto-news reporting, also reported that Johnston’s arrest followed a speeding stop in a Rolls-Royce in Miami.
Johnston Has Pleaded Guilty, Reports Say
CryptoBriefing reported that Johnston entered his guilty plea June 10 in federal court in Miami. The outlet said the plea involved a money-laundering conspiracy tied to at least $13.04 million in stolen digital assets.
The report said Johnston agreed to deportation to Canada after sentencing. Phemex reported that sentencing guidelines in the plea deal suggest a prison term of about four to five years.
Cointelegraph reported that prosecutors recommended a sentence of 51 to 63 months in exchange for cooperation and that Johnston turned over about 53.16 Bitcoin and 275.23 Ether.
No sentence had been imposed in the sources reviewed.
Tardibone Was Also Charged in the Case
The DOJ said Tardibone, 28, of Miami, was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and harboring Johnston while Johnston was unlawfully present in the United States.
The indictment accused Tardibone of providing Johnston lodging at a luxury Miami-area residence in an effort to evade immigration authorities.
CryptoBriefing reported that Tardibone’s charges remain pending. The DOJ’s May release said the indictment was an allegation and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Warning Is the Fake Support Call
The FTC warns that scammers may impersonate companies, claim an account is compromised, or pressure people to move cryptocurrency to a supposedly safer place.
Anyone who gets an urgent call or message about a crypto wallet, exchange account, seed phrase, recovery phrase, private key, security code, or remote access request should stop the conversation and contact the company through its official app or website.