Former FBI agent pleads guilty to stealing approximately $2.47 million in cryptocurrency, faces up to 20 years in prison.

November 7 - According to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Patrick Steven Yaroch pleaded guilty on November 5 to wire fraud and money laundering. He used his official access to obtain cryptocurrency credentials collected in FBI investigations, carried out approximately 100 fraudulent transfers involving 35 separate investigations, and illegally profited about $2.4744 million.

According to court documents, the assets Yaroch stole came from investigation targets, wallets controlled by hostile state actors, and at least one wallet the FBI created for operations. He concealed the source of funds through currency exchanges and multiple transfers, and used part of the funds to repay personal debts. The Justice Department said his actions damaged multiple investigations and related intelligence sources and methods. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2027, and he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.