TLDR:
- Prosecutors described a coordinated attempt to force access to a teen’s crypto wallet during a late-night intrusion.
- Surveillance footage placed the suspects at the apartment for under 30 minutes before leaving.
- Court filings said the group ignored cash and valuables while focusing on the crypto stash.
- A judge cited risks linked to alleged police impersonation when denying both bail requests.
A former Los Angeles police officer and a man prosecutors linked to Israeli organized crime remain behind bars after a judge denied their bail requests in a case centered on a forced crypto wallet extraction. The two men face accusations of staging a police raid that targeted a 17-year-old crypto business operator in late 2024.
Prosecutors detailed the sequence of events during a contentious hearing that revealed new facts about the alleged scheme. The case has drawn attention due to the suspects’ backgrounds and the targeted theft of $350,000 in digital assets.
Crypto Kidnapping Case Reveals Planned Late-Night Operation
Deputy District Attorney Jane Brownstone described a coordinated plan involving six men who met in the Hollywood Hills to prepare for the abduction.
According to the court account, the group traveled in two vehicles, including a rented Lamborghini, before entering the teenager’s Koreatown apartment building. Prosecutors said they wore dark clothing, used an entry code, and restrained the victim’s girlfriend with police handcuffs.
Brownstone told the court that the men claimed to be LAPD officers executing a search warrant. The teenager returned during the intrusion and was handcuffed as the group demanded access to his crypto wallet.
He attempted to show an empty account before threats of violence escalated. Prosecutors said the intruders threatened to shoot him in the foot and waterboard him, turning on a shower to enforce the threat.
The teenager eventually provided access to a safe containing a hardware wallet loaded with $350,000 in crypto.
Surveillance footage cited in court reportedly showed the group leaving about 25 minutes after entering. They did not take cash or watches stored inside the apartment. Brownstone said authorities are still searching for a sixth suspect.
Halem’s attorney argued that another unidentified individual posed the primary threat during the incident. She questioned the alleged motive and raised concerns about her client’s safety in custody. The defense described Halem as financially drained, noting that his accounts were empty and assets sold.
Prosecutors Detail Backgrounds as Judge Declines Bail
Prosecutors outlined Ben’s prior fraud convictions and deportation history, referencing records that tied him to organized crime.
His attorney countered that he had no violent record and operated legitimate businesses before his arrest. Court statements described his involvement in bank fraud operations and schemes targeting elderly victims.
Halem’s career as a former LAPD officer and his private ventures were also reviewed during the hearing.
Court records described his previous work in luxury car rentals and a remote audition app. A judge acknowledged safety concerns raised by the defense but maintained that jail protections were sufficient.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victoria Wilson said the conduct described in filings posed too great a risk to justify release. She cited the alleged impersonation of law enforcement as a key concern.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty, according to the court proceedings reported in the source material.
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Source: https://blockonomi.com/former-lapd-officer-accused-in-350000-crypto-kidnapping-plot-denied-bail/