We experience the tale of Bony and Clyde repeat itself in the modern era of digital currency. A man and woman popularly know as the “Discount Bitcoin Bandits” have been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from people who sought to buy the cryptocurrency, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.
Precious Lanay Fitzgerald, born on 29th of June 1990, was initially charged with four counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of child abuse and one count of grand theft, on March 19th. Two new charges, one felony count each of grand theft and child abuse, were filed yesterday against her, according to the amended complaint in case BA466388.
Lawillie Joshua Hall, born on 2nd April 1996, was charged on March 19th with two counts of second-degree robbery. Both defendants also face gun allegations, and the charges include prior conviction allegations against Fitzgerald.
This notorious pair is scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on Wednesday. They are expected to be re-arraigned on the amended complaint, in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors are recommending the bail to be set at $570,000 for Fitzgerald and $200,000 for Hall.
According to prosecutors, the defendants allegedly stole $87,125 from six people from October to February by using online notices and communications advertising the sale of discounted Bitcoins then stealing the victims’ payments.
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In one instance, Fitzgerald is accused of receiving a money transfer from a victim but never providing the promised Bitcoin. In other instances, she allegedly met the victims in person and forcefully took the cash they had brought to purchase the Bitcoin. Hall allegedly helped Fitzgerald in at least two of the robberies and used a handgun. An infant also allegedly was present during some of the robberies.
A local Los Angeles outlet called CBS Los Angeles quoted:
“The digital currency has often been used in ransomware hacks because it is untraceable, which lends itself to another scam the Manhattan Beach police warned its residents about Friday.”
Fitzgerald was convicted on March 22nd, 2010, for assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm in case YA075924. She faces a maximum possible sentence of 29 years and 18 months in state prison if convicted as charged and Hall for allegedly being a part of only two robberies faces up to 19 years and 4 months in prison.
The Deputy District Attorney, John C. Weller of the Cyber Crime Division is prosecuting the case. The case is currently being investigated by the Robbery-Homicide Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.
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