FBI and French Authorities Arrest U.S. Contractor for $46 Million Crypto Theft
John Daghita, a U.S. government contractor, was arrested in Saint Martin for allegedly misappropriating over $46 million from government crypto wallets, following a joint operation by U.S. and French law enforcement.
ETH
Fact Check
The arrest of John Daghita is widely reported by crypto news outlets and corroborated by social media activity from March 5, 2026. The details of the case—including the $46 million amount, the involvement of the U.S. Marshals Service, and Daghita's status as a contractor's son—align with a well-documented investigation that began in January 2026 following disclosures by ZachXBT. The specific location of the arrest (Saint Martin) and the involvement of French authorities add to the credibility of the recent reports.
Summary
U.S. government contractor John Daghita was arrested on March 4, 2026, by French and U.S. authorities in Saint Martin. He is accused of diverting over $46 million in cryptocurrency from U.S. Marshals Service seizure wallets. The investigation began after blockchain researcher ZachXBT linked Daghita to a wallet holding 12,540 ETH, worth more than $36 million. Officials plan to seek his extradition as the case progresses.
Terms & Concepts
- ETH (Ether): The native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain; often used to denominate balances and transactions (e.g., 12,540 ETH).
- Hardware wallet: A physical device that stores crypto private keys offline to enhance security against online theft.
- Seizure wallet: A government-controlled crypto wallet used to hold digital assets confiscated during law enforcement actions.