A Canadian court sentenced 39-year-old Keyron Moore to 13 years in jail for his participation in a kidnapping with violence related to a $1 million ransom in Bitcoin.
The case stems from November 1, 2022, when a woman known only as A.T., due to court order protections, was kidnapped at gunpoint from a Thornhill shopping plaza.
Along with another suspect, he forced her into a car and drove to Barrie, Ontario, where she spent hours being confined, tortured, and threatened.
Justice M. Townsend issued the sentence in Newmarket on August 22nd and gave him concurrent sentences for charges including forcible confinement, sexual assault while using a firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
He was given a lifetime weapons ban and must register as a sex offender for 20 years.
Brutal Ordeal Tied to $1 Million Bitcoin Demand
According to court documents, A.T. was stripped naked, beaten, burned, and threatened with a syringe that contained fentanyl during her ordeal as her captors asked for $1 million in bitcoin.
Case file detective Renwick testified very specifically that the suspects repeatedly used and stressed the cryptocurrency in the amount they were asking for.
At one point, Moore threatened to shoot the victim unless she cooperated with sexual demands, causing even more trauma.
Despite these threats, A.T. was able to escape by opening a garage door, found refuge at a neighbor’s house, and was able to get help. The court has subsequently issued a non-publication order to protect her identity.
Also Read: Australian Crypto Billionaire Escapes Kidnappers In Estonia, Bites Off Attacker’s Finger
Ongoing Proceedings Against Youth Co-Accused
Moore was also sentenced with consideration of his co-accused, a youth known only as S.M., due to Youth Criminal Justice Act protections. S.M. had been convicted previously in 2024 for his involvement in the abduction and is scheduled for sentencing on October 3 in Oshawa.
As part of Moore’s incarceration conditions, Moore is banned from communicating with S.M. while in custody.
The cooperation of an adult and a youth has raised questions around the organized exploitation of digital assets through violent crime, identifying challenges for law enforcement, as associated criminal activity becomes increasingly common with cryptocurrency.
Also Read: French Crypto TikToker Kidnapped, Released After Failing To Pay €50K Ransom
Global Parallels Highlight Broader Security Risks
Instances in Europe also illustrate the increasing risks for crypto holders and their families.
On May 27th, 12 people were arrested in France for their connection to attempted kidnappings of the wife and daughter of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat, with one attempted kidnapping foiled in broad daylight in Paris before any ransom was levied, according to UnoCrypto.
Also, very notably, on July 4th, in Belgium, we reported that three men were sentenced to 12 years in prison for the abduction of the wife of a crypto influencer in a high-profile case of extortion.
Taken together, these international incidents, along with Moore’s sentencing in Canada, reflect how the rise in value of cryptocurrencies has also raised the profile of their owners, executives, and influencers as high-value targets for organized crime.
Also Read: London Gang Jailed After Kidnapping Barber Mistaken for Bitcoin Billionaire