Texas Brothers Accused of Kidnapping and Cryptocurrency Theft
Authorities in Minnesota announced the arrest of two Texas brothers who allegedly kidnapped a family from Minnesota, holding them hostage for hours while demanding ransom in cryptocurrency totaling $8 million.
Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, face federal kidnapping charges stemming from an incident in Grant, Minnesota, on September 19. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota outlined the charges, which also include state offenses of kidnapping with a firearm, aggravated robbery, and first-degree burglary.
An attorney representing Isiah Garcia stated that he would defer comments to the lawyer who will handle his case in Minnesota. As of now, Isiah does not have legal representation in that state. Meanwhile, there was no immediate response from Raymond Garcia’s lawyer regarding the charges.
According to prosecutors, the brothers confronted the father as he took out the garbage, brandishing an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun. They restrained him in the garage with zip ties before forcing him into the house, where they woke his wife and son at gunpoint, also tying them up.
While Raymond held the family captive, Isiah compelled the father to access his cryptocurrency accounts, demanding he transfer large amounts to a wallet specified by Isiah. The father reported seeing the brothers making calls to a third party who seemed to provide information about the cryptocurrency accounts.
While being held hostage, the family indicated to the brothers that additional funds were stored in a hard-drive-style wallet at their cabin, three hours away in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Isiah then transported the father to the cabin under duress, making him transfer the funds to the specified wallet. During this time, Raymond was still at the home with the wife and son, allowing the son to call 911 while Raymond briefly left the premises.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival, Raymond allegedly fled the scene, while Isiah turned away in the truck, later abandoning it near a middle school after discarding the shotgun, which was later found by authorities. The brothers were tracked back to Texas through incriminating evidence, including a Wendy’s receipt found in their luggage. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson emphasized the severity of the crime, underscoring that such violent acts should not be accepted as normal behavior in Minnesota.
