A former U.S. Secret Service agent has admitted to stealing $56,000 worth of cryptocurrency while working at the agency’s Phoenix field office, in a case that has drawn national attention to the misuse of power by law enforcement officials.
Anthony Joseph Evans, 32, pleaded guilty last week to the federal charge of converting another’s property while serving as an officer or employee of the United States. His sentencing is scheduled for February 19, 2025.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office disclosed that Evans had illicitly accessed cryptocurrency stored on a hard wallet located in a secure evidence vault. After gaining access, he transferred the funds to two cryptocurrency wallets under his personal ownership and control.
Prosecutors revealed that Evans converted most of the stolen cryptocurrency into U.S. dollars, totaling around $56,000. He then transferred the funds into multiple bank accounts he controlled, using the money for personal expenses, including debt repayment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that a plea agreement was reached in the case. Under the agreement, Evans faces up to one year and one day in prison. He will also be required to pay full restitution to the victim, which includes not only the original value of the cryptocurrency but any appreciation in value before his sentencing date.
The investigation into Evans’ actions was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service’s Cyber Investigative Section based in Washington, D.C. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson, as Evans is a Tucson resident.
The case highlights a rare instance of criminal conduct within one of the nation’s top federal law enforcement agencies. The Secret Service has not commented further on the case but has emphasized its commitment to upholding the law and maintaining the highest ethical standards among its agents.
With sentencing approaching in February, Evans’ case raises important questions about the oversight and accountability of law enforcement personnel handling sensitive evidence, particularly in emerging sectors like cryptocurrency.
Former U.S. Secret Service agent Anthony Joseph Evans pleads guilty to stealing $56,000 in cryptocurrency from a secure evidence vault in Phoenix. Learn about the case and its implications for law enforcement.
