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Texas Brothers Charged in $8 Million Crypto Kidnapping of Minnesota Family
Two Texas brothers are facing federal kidnapping charges after allegedly holding a Minnesota family at gunpoint for nine hours and stealing $8 million in cryptocurrency, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. The incident, described by officials as a “horrific crime,” has sent shockwaves through the community.
Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, are accused of forcing their way into a Minnesota home last week, armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun. According to acting U.S.
Attorney Joseph H. Thompson, “This is not just a crime.
It’s a blow to the sense of safety of everyone in Minnesota.”
The terrifying ordeal began around 7:45 a.m. on September 19, when the brothers allegedly confronted a man taking out his trash. They zip-tied his hands before entering his home, where they woke up and restrained his wife and adult son at gunpoint, prosecutors detailed.
Investigators believe the brothers were in communication with an unknown third suspect, who appeared to be providing crucial information regarding the family’s cryptocurrency accounts and facilitating transfers.
While Raymond Garcia reportedly kept the wife and son hostage, Isiah Garcia allegedly forced the father to drive three hours to a family cabin to retrieve a hard-drive-like crypto wallet containing additional funds.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent Alvin M. Winston, Sr., emphasized the severity of the situation, stating the brothers “terrorized a Minnesota family in their own home.”
The family’s harrowing ordeal came to an end when their son managed to call 911 after Raymond Garcia briefly left the house. The swift and substantial police response that followed led local schools to cancel a scheduled homecoming football game, underscoring the community impact of the incident.
Authorities tracked the brothers using a Wendy’s receipt discovered in a suitcase containing the disassembled AR-15, along with surveillance footage obtained from a Minnesota motel. The Garcias were subsequently arrested on September 22 at their home in Waller, Texas. Following his arrest, Isiah Garcia reportedly confessed his involvement.
The brothers are currently facing federal kidnapping charges, in addition to state charges that include kidnapping with a firearm, aggravated robbery, and burglary. Their first federal court appearance took place on Thursday. It remains unclear if they have retained legal counsel.