Patrick Yaroch, an FBI supervisor detailed to the U.S. intelligence community, was indicted on federal charges after allegedly transferring nearly $925,426 from cryptocurrency accounts tied to Russia into his personal wallet. According to an affidavit, Yaroch accessed FBI systems to find private keys, made up to a dozen transfers, then voluntarily reported the conduct and met with FBI headquarters. He has been fired, temporarily detained and faces a detention hearing as the FBI investigates.
FBI Supervisor Indicted After Allegedly Diverting Nearly $1 Million in Russia-Linked Crypto
An FBI bulletproof jacket. (Kevin Carter / Getty Images file)
WASHINGTON — An FBI supervisor detailed to the U.S. intelligence community has been federally charged after prosecutors say he transferred nearly $1 million from cryptocurrency accounts tied to an adversarial nation into his personal wallet.
Allegations and Charges
Patrick Yaroch was indicted on two federal counts: interstate transportation of stolen goods and receipt of stolen goods, according to court records and an FBI affidavit. Prosecutors say Yaroch told a Justice Department employee he had grown "frustrated" that the Bureau "could not or would not act against adversarial cryptocurrency accounts," and that frustration prompted him to take action himself.
What the Affidavit Says
The affidavit states Yaroch accessed FBI systems, located private keys tied to certain wallets, and transferred funds into his own cryptocurrency accounts. He reportedly made up to a dozen transfers totaling approximately $925,426.07. Yaroch told investigators he made "very poor decisions" and that the matter was "eating him up inside," which led him to confess.
"Yaroch said that he went into FBI systems and found keys needed to transfer money from wallets to himself," the affidavit states.
Voluntary Report and Investigation
According to court filings, Yaroch submitted an online FBI self-report and voluntarily met with personnel at FBI headquarters to disclose his actions, telling staff he had "screwed up." When agents executed a search of his home, he surrendered his FBI credentials and provided details about his cryptocurrency wallets.
Two sources familiar with the matter told reporters the accounts were linked to Russia. The affidavit also states that Yaroch "never interacted with anyone associated with the adversarial accounts, including foreign entities."
Detention and Agency Response
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey R. Vaala of the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Yaroch temporarily detained. A detention hearing is scheduled for the coming days. The FBI said it "immediately took action" after learning of the allegations and confirmed Yaroch has been fired. "We hold our employees to the highest ethical standards, and this conduct is not tolerated at the FBI," a Bureau spokesperson said, adding that a thorough investigation is ongoing and the agency would have no further comment.
This reporting is based on court documents, an FBI affidavit and sources familiar with the matter. The total value of the funds reportedly transferred is roughly $925,426.07.
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