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A Los Angeles jury has convicted former LAPD officer Eric Halem of kidnapping and robbery, ending a trial that exposed how a sworn protector used his badge to terrorize a teenage Bitcoin holder.
The crime took place in the early hours of 28 December 2024. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, Halem, who was serving as a reserve officer at the time, and three others gained entry to a high-rise apartment in Koreatown.
The group didn’t pick the lock; they had the access code, allegedly obtained from a conspirator who had rented the unit to the victim. The assailants wore vests identifying themselves as police, effectively weaponizing the victim’s compliance against him.
They restrained the 17-year-old victim, identified in court as Daniel, and his girlfriend using LAPD-issued handcuffs. Under the threat of death, the teenager surrendered a hard drive containing the private keys to approximately $350,000 in Bitcoin.
While we usually see stories where South Korean police mishandle Bitcoin arrests through incompetence, this was calculated malice by an insider who knew exactly how to exploit the system.
Former LAPD officer found guilty in crypto robbery.
Former Los Angeles police officer Eric Halem has been convicted of kidnapping a 17-year-old teenager and stealing $350,000 in Bitcoin during a home invasion in 2024.
According to the court, Halem and three accomplices posed… pic.twitter.com/mnaSzyJ0N7
— TU_Crypto_News (@TU_Crypto_News) March 4, 2026
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Los Angeles County Superior Court Found Halem Guilty In Bitcoin Kidnapping Case
A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury found Halem guilty of kidnapping and robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 31.
The prosecutors argued that Halem violated his oath in the most egregious way possible. Deputy District Attorney Jane Brownstone presented evidence that Halem even monitored police radio traffic after the robbery to track the response—a level of sophistication that terrified the jury.
Halem now faces the possibility of a life sentence when he returns for sentencing on March 31. This severe potential penalty mirrors recent crackdowns where U.S. prosecutors seek heavy forfeiture and prison time to deter crypto-related crimes.
Unfortunately, Daniel’s ordeal is not an isolated incident. As the value of digital assets rises, criminals are increasingly targeting holders in the physical world. We have tracked similar escalations globally.
Just recently, a Binance employee encountered a France wrench attack, where criminals tracked a target to their home to demand funds. The pattern is clear: if criminals know you have crypto, and they know where you live, you become a target.
However, in Halem’s case, the “inside information” was literal, knowing the door code and the victim’s holdings.
Importantly, Halem’s Sentencing will be watched closely. A life sentence would send a massive signal that the legal system will not treat crypto robbery lightly, regardless of who wears the badge.
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Key Takeaways
Former LAPD officer Eric Halem was convicted of kidnapping and robbery for stealing $350K in Bitcoin.
The attackers posed as police officers and used inside knowledge to access the victim’s apartment.
“Wrench attacks” (physical violence) circumvent digital security measures like strong passwords.
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