Crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, also known as ‘BitBoy,’ spent a night in custody and now faces charges following his arrest during a livestream outside a former associate’s residence. The incident occurred on September 25, and Armstrong was released on bail after approximately 8 hours in custody, as confirmed by the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office.
Charges and Bail Amount
Armstrong has been charged with “loitering/prowling” and “simple assault by placing another in fear.” His bail has been set at $2,600, along with $40 in fees.
Screenshot from Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office
In Georgia, “loitering or prowling” typically refers to a person being in a place and manner not usual for law-abiding individuals, under circumstances that raise justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity, according to Georgia-based law firm Lawson & Berry. The penalties for this misdemeanor may include a fine of up to $1,000, jail time of up to one year, or both.
Simple Assault Charge
Simple assault can involve attempting to commit a violent injury to another person or committing an act that puts another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a violent injury. In Georgia, a conviction for simple assault is treated as a misdemeanor, though there can be certain situations where it may escalate to a more severe charge.
Following his release, Armstrong seemingly mocked the situation, declaring, “My name is Ben and I’m a loiterer. I did 8 whole hours in the slammer.” He later announced a week-long break from social media, emphasizing it was not due to memes. His mug shot circulated widely on crypto social media.
Background of the Incident
The incident unfolded when Armstrong visited the residence of his former associate, Carlos Diaz, alleging that Diaz had possession of his Lamborghini. Armstrong livestreamed the encounter and engaged in a 19-minute rant before local police arrived and arrested him.
This incident is part of an ongoing dispute between Ben Armstrong and the Hit Network, which controls the “BitBoy Crypto” brand. In August, the firm and its executives severed ties with Armstrong, citing concerns related to substance abuse and financial harm to employees.
