Federal Agents Face Arrest for Alleged Silk Road Bitcoin Theft

**FSP-Rebel** · 03-30-2015, 02:12 PM

Two federal agents who took part in the US government's efforts to take down illicit online black market Silk Road have been charged with fraud for allegedly misusing funds denominated in bitcoin while on assignment.

Perhaps most notably, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges special agent with the US Secret Service (USSS) Shaun Bridges "diverted" more than $800,000 in digital currency to his personal accounts without authorization during the investigation.

Likewise, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent Carl Mark Force IV is purported to have "solicited and received" digital currency as part of the investigation into Silk Road, using "fake online personas" to "steal from the government and targets of the investigation".

Both Bridges and Force are being charged with money laundering and wire fraud. Force has also been separately charged with the theft of government property.

More...http://www.coindesk.com/federal-agen...bitcoin-theft/

**phill4paul** · 03-30-2015, 02:19 PM

Carl Mark Force IV. Sounds like an agents name straight of dime store novel.

**jmdrake** · 03-30-2015, 03:32 PM

Likewise, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent Carl Mark Force IV is purported to have "solicited and received" digital currency as part of the investigation into Silk Road, using "fake online personas" to "steal from the government and targets of the investigation".

They wouldn't be prosecuted but for the government wanting to get its greedy paws on the Bitcoins involved.