Three Tennessee Men Indicted in $6.5 Million Crypto Robbery Spree

May 13, 2026

A San Francisco federal grand jury indicted Tennessee residents Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker on March 31, 2026, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and kidnapping after allegedly posing as delivery drivers to target four victims between November 22 and December 31, 2025. One victim was forced at gunpoint to transfer $6.5 million to a wallet controlled by the group. The case reflects a broader trend of 34 verified physical attacks on crypto holders in early 2026.

Tennessee trio indictment

▪Elijah Armstrong and Nino Chindavanh are 21 years old, and Jayden Rucker is 25 years old.
▪Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker were indicted on March 31, 2026.
▪Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker each face up to 20 years per robbery and kidnapping count.
▪Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker were indicted in a California federal court for allegedly posing as delivery drivers to steal cryptocurrency.
▪Nino Chindavanh's next hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2026.
▪U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian referred to the cryptocurrency robbery scheme involving Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh, and Jayden Rucker as "brazen, violent, and dangerous."
▪Elijah Armstrong and Jayden Rucker are scheduled to appear on May 12, 2026, for the appointment of counsel.

Crypto robbery spree details

▪The alleged attackers targeted four victims between November 22 and December 31, 2025.
▪A victim was forced at gunpoint to transfer approximately $6.5 million to a wallet controlled by the group.

Related crypto theft cases

▪Marlon Ferro participated in a $250 million cryptocurrency theft scheme led by Singaporean national Malone Lam.
▪Marlon Ferro was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution.
▪Marlon Ferro, a 20-year-old Californian known as "GothFerrari," received 78 months in federal prison on May 7, 2026, for breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets.
▪Evan Tangeman, 22, of Newport Beach, California, was sentenced to 70 months for laundering at least $3.5 million from a $263 million crypto theft operation.

Rising wrench attack trend

▪Physical attacks on crypto holders represent a 41% rise compared to the same time period in 2025.
▪Blockchain security firm CertiK documented 34 verified physical attacks on crypto holders in the first four months of 2026.
▪CertiK projects that roughly 130 physical attacks on crypto holders will occur by the end of 2026.
▪Losses from physical attacks on crypto holders in the first four months of 2026 are estimated to reach $101 million.

European attack surge

▪39.5% of all recorded physical attacks on crypto holders occurred in Europe in 2025.
▪82% of all recorded physical attacks on crypto holders occurred in Europe in the first four months of 2026.
▪French authorities indicted 88 suspects in late April 2026 for physical attacks on crypto holders, including more than ten minors.