In a shocking case that bridges the worlds of law enforcement and organised crime, a former Los Angeles Police Department officer and a convicted felon with alleged ties to the Israeli mob have been charged with the brazen kidnapping of a teenager for his cryptocurrency fortune.
The Alleged Kidnapping Plot
Prosecutors allege that Eric Halem, a 38-year-old 13-year LAPD veteran, and Gabby Ben, a 51-year-old twice-convicted fraudster, were part of a six-man crew that targeted a 17-year-old boy in Los Angeles's Koreatown last December. The group reportedly descended upon the teen's luxury high-rise apartment with the intent to abduct him and seize his valuable cryptocurrency wallet.
Upon gaining entry, the assailants discovered the teenager was not home, but his girlfriend was present. Court documents state they found her hiding in a closet and restrained her using LAPD-issued handcuffs. Deputy District Attorney Jane Brownstone confirmed, "Everyone was armed. They claimed they were from the Los Angeles Police Department and they were executing a search warrant."
Threats and Theft
The kidnappers then lay in wait for the teen to return. When he did, he was immediately handcuffed and forced to open his crypto wallet on his devices. When the youth attempted to bluff by providing access to an empty wallet, the situation turned violent.
The assailants allegedly threatened to shoot the 17-year-old in the foot and waterboard him in his own shower if he did not comply with their demands. Fearing for his safety, the teenager eventually relented, leading them to a safe containing a thumb drive that held his cryptocurrency wallet. The thieves made off with $350,000 in cryptocurrency.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police reportedly shows Ben, Halem, and the other alleged kidnappers leaving the apartment building approximately 25 minutes after they first entered.
Legal Proceedings and Defence Arguments
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defence attorneys have put forward contrasting arguments in their clients' favour.
Megan Maitia, an attorney representing former officer Halem, questioned the prosecution's narrative, casting doubt on how a 17-year-old could have amassed such significant wealth in cryptocurrency. "How does a 17-year-old do this?" she asked. She further insisted that Halem did not personally threaten the teenager, instead pointing the finger at an unidentified sixth accomplice whom "everyone thought was the most dangerous." Maitia also expressed concerns for Halem's safety in prison due to his background as a police officer.
In contrast, Kellen Davis, Ben's attorney, argued for his client's release on bail, citing his operation of legitimate assisted living facilities and his history of complying with court orders. This claim was made despite Ben's criminal record, which includes convictions for defrauding elderly victims by posing as an HVAC technician to gain access to their homes and financial information.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victoria Wilson denied bail for both men, stating she believed they could cause "great bodily harm to others" if released. She did, however, order the LA County Sheriff's Office to provide protection for Halem while he awaits trial in custody.
