FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of U.S. government contractor John Daghita on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin for allegedly stealing more than $46 million in cryptocurrency from the U.S. Marshals Service. The arrest took place on Wednesday night, March 4, 2026, in a joint operation between the FBI and French authorities.
Kash Patel, serving as FBI Director, posted the announcement on X early Thursday morning, March 5, 2026. He stated that John Daghita was taken into custody by the French Gendarmerie’s premier elite tactical unit, known as the Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN), in coordination with the FBI. Patel thanked the International Cooperation Team Serious Crime Unit of the French Gendarmerie National in Saint Martin and the Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale of Guadeloupe for their coordination in the operation.
John Daghita worked for Command Services & Support (CMDSS), a Virginia-based technology firm. His father, Dean Daghita, serves as president of CMDSS. The company held contracts with the U.S. Marshals Service to manage and securely store:
- Seized digital assets, including cryptocurrency acquired through federal forfeitures in criminal investigations.
- Private crypto wallets under the federal asset protection program.
John Daghita allegedly used unauthorized access gained through his father’s position and the company’s role to reach these wallets. He transferred more than $46 million in cryptocurrency out of those wallets.
The theft came to light earlier in January 2026 when blockchain analyst ZachXBT traced suspicious wallet activity linked to U.S. government seizure funds. Reports at the time indicated that:
- The majority of the stolen funds were returned within 24 hours of the initial transfer.
- The breach exposed serious vulnerabilities in how federal agencies handle and custody large volumes of digital assets.
- The incident raised questions about oversight in government crypto storage contracts.
During the arrest on Saint Martin, authorities recovered a metal briefcase containing stacks of U.S. hundred-dollar bills in cash. Officers also seized:
- Multiple USB drives.
- Hard drives.
- Security keys from Daghita.
Photos released by the FBI and Saint Martin police showed Daghita in handcuffs being led away near a swimming pool area, with the cash-filled briefcase displayed separately as evidence of proceeds from the alleged theft.
John Daghita — a U.S. government contractor who allegedly stole more than $46 million in cryptocurrency from the U.S. Marshals Service — was arrested on the island of St. Martin last night by the French Gendarmerie's premier elite tactical unit in collaboration with #FBIWFO and… pic.twitter.com/NuZvBYPdDm
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) March 5, 2026
The operation demonstrated effective international law enforcement cooperation. Saint Martin, divided between French and Dutch territories, required coordination with French Gendarmerie forces based in the region, including elite units from Guadeloupe. The FBI’s involvement included tracking Daghita’s movements after he fled the United States following the initial detection of the theft.
Patel emphasized in his statement that:
the FBI would continue working around the clock with international partners to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who defraud American taxpayers, regardless of their location.
This case highlights ongoing risks in government handling of cryptocurrency. The U.S. Marshals Service holds significant digital asset reserves from seizures in drug trafficking, fraud, and other federal cases. Contractors like CMDSS provide technical services for wallet management, secure storage, and liquidation of these assets. A breach at this level points to potential:
- Weaknesses in access controls, monitoring, and vetting processes.
- Need for stricter separation of duties.
- Importance of independent audits in federal crypto custody programs.
John Daghita faces allegations of wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government property, though specific charges filed in U.S. courts have not been detailed publicly as of March 6, 2026. The recovered items, including cash and digital storage devices, will undergo forensic analysis to trace any remaining stolen funds or additional transactions. The FBI has not disclosed the current status of asset recovery beyond the initial returns reported in January.
The arrest sends a clear message against corruption and abuse in positions tied to federal contracts. Public officials and contractors who handle taxpayer-funded or seized assets must face swift accountability when they exploit their roles for personal gain. Under Director Patel’s leadership, the FBI has prioritized such cases, showing that no one is beyond reach when evidence points to theft from government holdings.
The successful takedown of John Daghita in Saint Martin proves that international partnerships and persistent investigation can dismantle schemes that target U.S. government resources, no matter how far suspects attempt to flee.
