Saif Faiq, 22, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty June 8 in Hartford federal court to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut linked the plea to an attempted bitcoin robbery and the August 2024 kidnapping of two people in Danbury, Connecticut. Prosecutors said the case involved a plot tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin, a violent Lamborghini Urus carjacking, and the kidnapping of two victims who are the parents of an individual who participated in the bitcoin theft. The case has drawn eight guilty pleas to date, including Faiq's co-conspirator Adam Iza, who pleaded guilty June 1, 2026, as federal authorities continue to prosecute defendants tied to the violent scheme.
Saif Faiq Pleads Guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery Conspiracy
Faiq pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, known as Hobbs Act robbery. The charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28, according to federal prosecutors. Authorities have detained Faiq since his arrest on Nov. 12, 2025.
Prosecutors reported that Faiq helped organize the attempted robbery and traveled to Connecticut for the planned home invasion and kidnapping. Authorities said he recruited participants, coordinated with Adam Iza, and helped conduct surveillance on the victims before the crime. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, "In an attempt to steal some of that Bitcoin, Faiq and others planned and coordinated the attempted robbery and ultimately the kidnapping."
Danbury Police Arrest Six Florida Men After Lamborghini Carjacking
Danbury police arrested six Florida men on Aug. 25, 2024, after a violent Lamborghini Urus carjacking and the kidnapping of two occupants inside the vehicle. Court documents described a plot tied to hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, "The investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of an individual who participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin."
Investigators alleged that another co-conspirator had an altercation with the victims' son at a Miami nightclub in July 2024. That person later communicated with certain kidnappers, provided funding, and helped arrange transportation and lodging before the Danbury incident.
Eight Defendants Enter Guilty Pleas in Bitcoin Kidnapping Case
Adam Iza, identified by prosecutors as Faiq's brother, pleaded guilty to the same offense on June 1, 2026, and remains detained while awaiting sentencing. Six other people were charged in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping, and prosecutors reported that all six have pleaded guilty. Together with the guilty pleas entered by Faiq and Iza, eight defendants have now admitted their roles in the case.
FAQ
What did Saif Faiq plead guilty to on June 8?
Saif Faiq, 22, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty June 8 in Hartford federal court to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, known as Hobbs Act robbery. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut linked the plea to an attempted bitcoin robbery and the August 2024 kidnapping of two people in Danbury, Connecticut.
Why were the kidnapping victims targeted in the Danbury case?
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of an individual who participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin. Prosecutors said Faiq and others planned and coordinated the attempted robbery and kidnapping in an attempt to steal some of that bitcoin.
How many defendants have pleaded guilty in the bitcoin kidnapping case?
Eight defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Saif Faiq pleaded guilty June 8, his co-conspirator Adam Iza pleaded guilty June 1, 2026, and six other people charged in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping have also pleaded guilty, according to federal prosecutors.
