Crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, formerly known as ‘BitBoy,’ reportedly spent the night in the slammer and has been hit with two charges following his conspicuous arrest.
Armstrong, who was taken into custody on Sept. 25 while livestreaming outside a former associate’s house, spent a little over 8 hours in a cell according to the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office.
The crypto influencer has been released on bail but has been hit with charges of “loitering/prowling” and “simple assault by placing another in fear,” with a bond amount of $2,600 along with $40 of fees.
Screenshot from Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office
In Georgia, loitering or prowling generally refers to when a person is “in a place at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant a 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 consequences for a prowling and loitering misdemeanor include a fine of up to $1,000, or jail time of up to one year, or both, it added.
Meanwhile, simple assault can involve: “(1) attempt to commit a violent injury to the person of another, or (2) commit an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury.”
Similar to loitering, a conviction for simple assault in Georgia is treated as a misdemeanor, though there can be certain situations where this is escalated, said the law firm.
Following his release, Armstrong appeared to mock his punishment stating, “My name is Ben and I’m a loiterer. I did 8 whole hours in the slammer,”
This is the hardest tweet I ever have had to make. I need to make a confession I never imagined I would admit
I’m not even really sure if I have the courage to say it but I’m going to do my best
Here it goes: My name is Ben and I’m a loiterer. I did 8 whole hours in the slammer
— Ben Armstrong (@BenArmstrongsX) September 26, 2023
A few hours later he posted: “I’m taking a week’s break from social media,” before adding “No, not because of the memes,” on Sept. 27. Armstrong’s mug shot has been doing the rounds on crypto social media.
pic.twitter.com/v9yL1OgFHk
— db (@tier10k) September 26, 2023
On the evening of Sept. 25, Armstrong went to the house of his former associate Carlos Diaz who he alleged had possession of his Lamborghini.
The livestream and general ranting went on for around 19 minutes before the local police turned up and arrested Armstrong.
Crypto trader “EmperorBTC” told his 360,000 X followers that the arrest “should be a lesson for everyone.”
Bitboy being arrested should be a lesson for everyone.
1. If you scam, karma will get you. If not now, then someday, but for sure.
2. Money gives you Power but Uncontrolled Power turns you insane.
3. Take care of your mental health, the world is waiting for you to breakdown.
— Emperor (@EmperorBTC) September 26, 2023
The latest debacle is related to the ongoing dispute between Ben Armstrong and Hit Network which controls the “BitBoy Crypto” brand. The firm and its executives cut ties with Armstrong in August citing issues surrounding substance abuse and financial damage to employees.
