In a twist of events, Ben Armstrong, a prominent figure in the crypto world, formerly known as BitBoy, found himself on the wrong side of the law. On September 25, while broadcasting live outside a residence, he faced arrest, an incident that shook the crypto community.
Behind the Livestream Drama
On that fateful evening, Armstrong chose to livestream from outside a house owned by his previous associate, Carlos Diaz. His alleged motive? He believed Diaz had his Lamborghini. This digital confrontation lasted 19 minutes before local law enforcement intervened, placing Armstrong under arrest. Notably, this episode unveils deeper tensions, linking to an ongoing disagreement between Armstrong and the Hit Network, the power behind the “BitBoy Crypto” brand. Citing financial discrepancies and substance misuse concerns, the organization parted ways with Armstrong a month prior.
Following his arrest, the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office stated that Armstrong endured just over eight hours behind bars. The charges? “Loitering/prowling” and “simple assault by placing another in fear.” As per local laws, loitering typically indicates one’s unusual presence at a location, which may arouse justified alarm concerning nearby persons or properties’ safety.
If found guilty, the repercussions for such a misdemeanor in Georgia can be hefty: potential fines reaching $1,000 or imprisonment for up to a year, possibly even both. Furthermore, a simple assault charge in the state, as described by Lawson & Berry, relates to actions causing another individual to anticipate an immediate violent injury reasonably.
Though treated as a misdemeanor, under certain conditions, simple assault convictions can witness more severe outcomes in Georgia.
Ben Armstrong Responds to the Situation
Soon after being granted bail for a bond totaling $2,640 ($2,600 in bond and $40 in associated fees), Armstrong took to social media. On September 27, with a hint of sarcasm, he remarked, “My name is Ben and I’m a loiterer. I did 8 whole hours in the slammer.” Later, he announced a week-long hiatus from social media, cheekily adding, “No, not because of the memes.”
With the Ben Armstrong mugshot making waves in the crypto community, it remains to be seen how this incident will influence his standing and the larger crypto narrative.