- Trenton Richard David Johnston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Prosecutors linked him to the theft of about $13.04 million in Bitcoin and other digital assets.
- The scheme involved impersonating Google and crypto security representatives.
A Canadian teenager has pleaded guilty in Miami after investigators connected him to a cryptocurrency fraud that stole more than $13 million from victims in California. Authorities say the proceeds funded luxury cars, jewelry, high-end travel, and an expensive nightlife.
Trenton Richard David Johnston, who turned 20 while in custody, admitted to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He also agreed to return to Canada after sentencing, though the court has not yet set a date.
Impersonation Scheme Targets Crypto Holders
The case centers on calls made to cryptocurrency owners by people posing as trusted technology and security representatives. One California victim received calls from someone claiming to work for Google, followed by another person presenting himself as a representative of hardware wallet provider Trezor.
The callers convinced the victim that two digital asset accounts had already been compromised. After gaining the victim’s trust, they obtained access codes for the accounts.
Investigators said about 185 Bitcoins, valued near $13 million at the time, disappeared from the wallets shortly afterward. Court documents also linked the wider operation to a separate theft involving about $41,000 in Ethereum.
Johnston later exchanged messages with an unnamed accomplice about the Bitcoin theft. The communications, recovered during the investigation, referred directly to the 185 BTC target.
Related: Mohammed Nalapad, Son of Congress MLA Named in Bitcoin Scam Probe
Traffic Stop Exposes Spending Trail
The case began to unravel during a March traffic stop involving a white Rolls-Royce Cullinan in Miami. Johnston was sitting in the back when a sheriff’s deputy stopped the vehicle.
People traveling with him told officers that he had no regular employment and had made money through cryptocurrency scams. Authorities later seized his computer, phone, and handwritten notes containing codes linked to digital asset accounts.
Federal investigators then traced spending associated with the stolen funds. Prosecutors said Johnston acquired a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, two BMWs, and jewelry. He also used money for private jet rentals, accommodation, car rentals, and travel.
His co-defendant, exotic car dealer Brandon Michael Tardibone, helped arrange several purchases and expenses. Court records listed about $1.19 million in transactions over three months, including flights and luxury vehicle costs.
Related: FBI Hunts Escaped Georgia Inmate Linked to $11M Schwab Fraud Case
Johnston Faces Sentencing and Deportation
Johnston entered the United States from Ontario in October 2024 on a tourist visa. He remained in the country after the authorized period expired.
Notably, he was 19 when authorities arrested him in March 2026. He has since accepted a removal order and agreed to assist immigration officials with his deportation after the criminal case concludes.
Both Johnston and Tardibone pleaded guilty to money-laundering conspiracy. They face prison terms at sentencing, while authorities have not announced whether any of the stolen cryptocurrency has been recovered.
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