A federal judge in Jacksonville on Monday signed an order to have former Palm Coast resident Noah Michael Urban held in prison until his March trial, and finding him at risk of fleeing if he were released meanwhile.
A federal grand jury in late December indicted Urban, 19, who went by aliases such as “Sosa,” “Elijah,” “Gustavo Fring” and “King Bob,” on one charge of wire fraud conspiracy, eight counts of write fraud, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. He is alleged to have stolen virtual currency from five victims’ accounts by fraudulently obtaining their personal identifying information, managing to take control of their cell phone numbers, and gaining access to their online accounts and cryptocurrency exchange accounts.
The alleged fraud took place between August 2022 and March 2023, according to the indictment. On Nov. 2, 2022, for example, Urban transferred 182.1991 Ethereum, a cryptocurrency, or the equivalent of $294,797, from one cryptocurrency account to his own computer. On Nov. 21, he transferred 1.29 bitcoin worth $21,952 from a second victim’s account to his computer. Subsequent transactions, or thefts, followed, for amounts of $37,742, then $107,230, and in February 2023, a transfer of $374,614.
Noah was arrested on Jan. 9 in Deltona, where Urban was known to have a residence, according to his driver’s license (on Glenwood Plantation Road). He was booked at the Volusia Branch Jail and transferred the next day to federal custody.
Urban tested positive for Covid soon after his arrest and sought to have his detention hearing delayed past Jan. 16, through a motion filed by his attorney, Assistant federal Defender Kathryn Sheldon. Judge Joel Toomey granted the motion. He was arraigned on Jan. 19 and pleaded not guilty on all 14 counts. The prosecution moved to keep Urban in prison, citing various reasons.
Urban had no fixed address at the time of his arrest and was using an alias to stay at Airbnb’s, all the while aware that he was under investigation. In March 2023, when a search warrant was executed at his home, he was downloading software to delete computer files. “He has never been employed but appears to be self-supportive,” the order states. In May 2023, he told authorities that he would no longer have contact with co-conspirators, some of whom are overseas. But he did so anyway. Taking those reasons into account, along with the likelihood of a “lengthy period of incarceration if convicted,” the judge agreed to keep Urban in detention.
Urban’s trial is scheduled for March 4 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger.
Me says
He never had a job of course not he is a career criminal. Lets hope the Feds lock him up for good and he can share a cell with Big Bubba who will take real good care of him for the rest of his life.
Pat Stote says
Can hardly wait to see Jimbo’s comments on this one.
R.S. says
I predict a great future for the young man in cybersecurity!
Pogo says
@Who doesn’t see this coming
Trump’s next Treasury Secretary
Atwp says
Funny but may be true, Pogo
D Paqman says
This is the son of one of my lifelong friends, and he made a serious mistake. But wishing that kind of hurt and ill on a 19-year-old young man is pretty ugly of you “Me.” If it were your son, would you wish the same? Your grandson? Your brother? I’m not justifying anything he did, and I think if found guilty, he should answer for those crimes. But wishing that kind of hurt/pain/abuse on someone is in poor taste.
JOEPH HEMPFLING says
expect MORE of the same as if you haven’t noticed the bright future promised has been CANCELED by our
wants be OVERLORDS who have sold us out leaving little wiggle room for our talented digital kids who have
to survive without many alternatives. IF IN DOUBT FOLLOW THE NEWS. !
FlaPharmTech says
Such an enterprising young man. I’m earning my money legally, as a Pharmacy Technician. I tell my dogs when I leave for my shift that mommy’s going to make the kibble money. Young man and I are both in pitiful positions.