Ex-FBI Agent Patrick Yaroch Pleads Guilty to $2.5M Crypto Theft from 35 Investigations

Former FBI agent Patrick Yaroch has pleaded guilty to stealing $2.5 million in cryptocurrency from wallets tied to 35 active investigations. Yaroch, who was assigned to the FBI's Detroit field office, used credentials the bureau had gathered during probes to access and drain digital asset accounts. He then attempted to launder the funds through multiple exchanges and even sought advice from ChatGPT on starting a new life in Europe. The case highlights a rare insider threat within federal law enforcement and raises serious questions about internal controls over seized digital evidence. Yaroch now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The FBI's Inspection Division and the Justice Department's National Security Cyber Section are reviewing procedures to prevent similar breaches. This breach could undermine public trust in how agencies handle sensitive crypto assets.