Cyber criminal pleads guilty to crypto theft worth over $37 million

An Indiana man has pleaded guilty to both "cyber intrusion" and stealing cryptocurrency worth over $37 million from nearly 600 victims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Twenty-one-year-old Evan Light of Lebanon, Indiana, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, according to a statement.

In February 2022, Light "was involved in a cyber-intrusion involving an investment holdings company located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota," according to court documents. Light was charged with stealing personal information and then robbing hundreds of victims, the documents also said.

Light was aided by "one or more unidentified" people, according to the statement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was responsible for the investigation.

"The stolen cryptocurrency, under Light’s control, was then funneled to various locations throughout the world, including multiple mixing services and gambling websites to conceal his identity and to hide the virtual currency," according to the statement.

Light could face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in custody for each count he pleaded guilty to.