Ex-FBI Counterintelligence Agent Patrick Steven Yaroch Pleads Guilty To $2.47M Crypto Theft: 7 outlets compared - NewsCord

Patrick Steven Yaroch, a 37-year-old former FBI counterintelligence agent living in Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering for stealing about $2.47 million in cryptocurrency.

Yaroch admitted he used investigative duties that gave him access to FBI systems to steal cryptocurrency from wallets tied to 35 FBI investigations, then exchange and launder it through financial transactions to conceal its source and ownership.

Yaroch carried out about 100 fraudulent transfers tied to 35 separate FBI investigations, and prosecutors said the government stated the total proceeds from the scheme were $2,474,380.66.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said Yaroch exploited his access to FBI systems to move digital assets he was not authorized to handle.

Court documents described the scheme as involving credentials of cryptocurrency wallets tied to 35 FBI investigations, and at least one wallet created by the FBI for use in an operation.

Yaroch exchanged the stolen cryptocurrency for a different type of cryptocurrency, then laundered it through financial transactions.

FOX 5 DC reported that Yaroch transferred nearly $93,082 between November 2025 and January 2026 and used the accounts to pay debts including car loans and credit card bills.

Portugal plan and fallout

Yaroch told investigators he paid off his debts and intended to use the proceeds to finance a new life in Portugal, where he planned to buy a vineyard.

FOX 5 DC said Yaroch asked ChatGPT how to maximize investments and where to live in Europe, and after ChatGPT suggested he buy a vineyard in Portugal, Yaroch took steps to register with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and obtain a tax identification number.

FOX 5 DC reported that Yaroch made arraignments to travel to Portugal in September 2026, and court documents said his actions compromised multiple FBI investigations.

Cointelegraph also said Yaroch admitted his actions had compromised FBI investigations related to criminal groups and adversarial nations.

Yaroch faces up to 20 years in prison, and his sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2027.