🔥 Key Takeaways
- John Daghita, son of a US government contractor, is accused of stealing over $40 million in crypto seized by the US Marshals Service.
- The alleged theft targeted wallets managed by CMDSS, an IT firm awarded a contract to handle the USMS’s crypto assets.
- On-chain data suggests the stolen funds were moved through sophisticated laundering techniques, including Tornado Cash.
- This incident highlights a critical “insider threat” vulnerability within government crypto management operations.
A Shocking Betrayal of Trust
A significant security breach has rocked the US government’s cryptocurrency operations, pointing to an alleged “inside job” of massive proportions. John Daghita, known online by the handle “Lick,” is at the center of a scandal involving the theft of over $40 million from government-controlled crypto wallets. The incident has cast a spotlight on the security protocols surrounding the US Marshals Service (USMS) and the contractors hired to manage them.
The Contractor Connection
The breach appears to be deeply rooted in family ties. John Daghita’s father serves as the head of CMDSS, a Virginia-based IT firm. In 2024, CMDSS was awarded a lucrative contract specifically to assist the USMS with the complex task of managing and liquidating cryptocurrencies seized during federal criminal investigations. This privileged position gave the firm—and allegedly the founder’s son—intimate access to the private keys and infrastructure securing these high-value assets.
How the Alleged Heist Unfolded
According to blockchain analysts and reports from BeInCrypto, the illicit movement of funds began in late 2023. The wallets associated with the USMS seizure accounts reportedly began draining, with the assets funneled through various decentralized exchanges and mixing services in an attempt to obscure the money trail. The sophistication of the laundering attempts suggests a level of technical knowledge designed to evade standard tracking tools, though blockchain forensics have successfully linked the flow of funds back to the initial point of compromise.
Implications for Government Crypto Custody
This alleged heist serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with the government’s growing stockpile of digital assets. While blockchain technology is transparent, the human element remains the weakest link in the security chain. The case against Daghita highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight, multi-signature requirements, and rigorous vetting processes for contractors handling public funds. As the Department of Justice moves to prosecute the case, the crypto community watches closely to see how this will reshape the landscape of government digital asset management.
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