The FBI has rumbled a surreal plot to kidnap a Miami jeweler and steal $2 million in cryptocurrency.
According to a court filing, a confidential source had tipped off law enforcement about the planned abduction.
They claimed that a man called "Jack" had assembled a group that was planning to strike on the morning of January 13.
The ringleader had started a Telegram chat to arrange the kidnapping—allegedly referring to the group's members as the "goons."
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Screenshots were shared that appeared to show the victim, who works at the Seybold jewelry building, confirming he had a substantial amount of crypto in his possession and was prepared to exchange it for cash.
According to FBI Special Agent Ryan Dreibelbis, "Jack" wrote messages about how the abduction should be carried out, and said: "I told them not to hurt or do shi to him. We just need to get him."
Other members of the group revealed they would be armed with Mac-10s and .223 assault-style rifles on the day of the abduction.
The confidential source revealed that they had been asked to provide the vehicle that would be used for the kidnapping. Then it was agreed that "a tall black guy" called "D" would deliver one.
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But before the Chevy Tahoe was handed over, law enforcement bugged the SUV with recording devices and GPS tracking. Then an undercover agent pretending to be "D" so he could meet one of the suspects in person.
The four men involved in the plot were confronted by officers as they met on the day of the kidnapping.
Three attempted to flee, but were quickly apprehended, while another who ran away was captured at a nearby business.
Recorded calls between them appeared to suggest they had planned to give the victim "one good bop" on the head, but didn't want to cause brain damage.
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Evan Puckett, Tre'von Anthony Neal, Zacary Briggs and Aaron Hammond are all charged with kidnapping conspiracy and attempted kidnapping.
They are being held in jail without bond and are due to appear in court in Florida on Tuesday.
Edited by Stacy Elliott.
