In an international operation coordinated between US and
French authorities, a US government contractor was arrested on the island of
Saint Martin, accused of stealing more than $46 million in cryptocurrency
belonging to the US Marshals Service.
The suspect, identified as John Daghita, was arrested
overnight by an elite tactical unit of the French National Gendarmerie. The
operation was carried out with the direct collaboration of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI), which had been following the case as part of an
investigation into fraud and financial crimes linked to digital assets.
According to authorities, Daghita worked as a contractor for
the US government and allegedly took advantage of his access to official
systems and resources to divert cryptocurrency funds that were under federal
custody. The amount stolen, exceeding $46 million, made the case one of the
most significant investigations related to the theft of digital assets managed
by government agencies. The arrest was made possible through close cooperation
between several specialized units. These included the International Cooperation
Team of the French National Gendarmerie's Serious Crimes Unit in Saint Martin
and the National Gendarmerie's Intervention Group based in Guadeloupe, who
coordinated the tactical deployment that led to the suspect's location and
arrest.
Following the capture, U.S. authorities emphasized the
importance of international collaboration in combating cross-border financial
crimes, especially those related to cryptocurrencies and digital technology.
The FBI stated that it will continue to work closely with
law enforcement partners in various countries to identify, track, and apprehend
individuals who attempt to defraud the U.S. government or taxpayers. According
to the agency, the objective is clear: to bring those responsible to justice,
regardless of the country where they attempt to hide.