Texas Brothers Charged in $8M Cryptocurrency Kidnapping of Minnesota Family

Two Texas brothers have been charged with federal crimes after allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota family and forcing them to hand over $8 million in cryptocurrency. The violent incident has sparked national concern as crypto-related crimes involving physical coercion continue to rise across the United States.

According to federal court documents, Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, allegedly stormed a home in Grant, Minnesota, on September 19. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, the brothers held three family members hostage for nine hours. During the ordeal, Isiah Garcia reportedly forced the father to transfer millions in digital assets into a wallet controlled by his brother.

Authorities revealed that the kidnappers also discovered additional cryptocurrency stored on a hard drive at a remote cabin three hours away. While one brother kept the hostages under threat of violence, the other escorted the victim’s father to the cabin to retrieve and transfer the remaining funds.

The family managed to contact police once an opportunity arose. Investigators quickly connected surveillance footage, a fast-food receipt, and rental car records to the suspects, leading authorities to their home in Waller, Texas. Upon arrest, Isiah Garcia allegedly confessed his role in the crime.

Law enforcement officials stress that this case highlights the growing risks tied to cryptocurrency ownership. “These crimes illustrate the emerging risks when large crypto holdings intersect with physical threats,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr.

Similar incidents have surfaced nationwide. In New York, a man was held captive for weeks in May and forced to give up digital assets. In Las Vegas, two teens allegedly extorted $4 million in crypto from a victim in November 2024.

Both Garcia brothers now face federal and state charges, including kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and aggravated robbery. If convicted, they face lengthy prison terms. Authorities are investigating possible connections to other crypto-related crimes.