According to Decrypt, ex-officer Eric Halem faces a potential life sentence after being found guilty of kidnapping and stealing $350,000 in Bitcoin during a 2024 Koreatown assault.
Former Los Angeles police officer Eric Halem was convicted of kidnapping and robbery for the 2024 Koreatown assault involving a 17-year-old cryptocurrency holder. Halem and his partners stole a hard drive containing Bitcoin valued at approximately $350,000. The jury found them guilty on all counts, and Halem now faces a potential life sentence, according to Decrypt. Authorities stated the incident underscores rising risks associated with crypto-related thefts and violent crimes targeting digital assets.