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Berman Jerry Nowlin, a 21-year-old individual convicted for his role in a $135,000 NFT “rug pull” scheme, died by suicide on December 21, 2024, at his residence in Alabama, just weeks prior to his sentencing.
His family confirmed his passing to the Tampa Bay Times on Thursday, expressing their sorrow over the tragic loss.
UNDEAD APES DEV DIES BY SUICIDE FOLLOWING RUG PULL RELATED CONVICTION – VIA @TB_Times $eth $sol pic.twitter.com/6jD6ZzYFPy
— Tom Bibiyan
(@realtombibiyan) January 3, 2025
The young man’s death occurred while he was awaiting sentencing, which was set for January.
Nowlin faced federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering for his participation in a scheme that deceived investors through a fraudulent cryptocurrency project.
How the Undead Apes NFT Scam Unfolded
Prosecutors claimed that Nowlin collaborated with Devin Rhoden, a senior airman stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and a childhood friend, to execute the scam.
The fraudulent operation revolved around a cryptocurrency project that involved the creation and promotion of an NFT collection named “Undead Tombstone,” which was marketed alongside the Undead Apes NFT collection to attract investors.
The indictment disclosed that the pair persuaded hundreds of victims to invest tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, promising significant returns.
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However, these assurances proved to be unfounded. When investors discovered that the project’s claims were false, the scheme collapsed, prompting an investigation that resulted in the arrests of both Nowlin and Rhoden.
A Tampa jury found the two men guilty of multiple charges, holding them accountable for their involvement in the financial crime.
Two individuals, including a senior airman and cyber analyst in the U.S. military, have been charged with money laundering in connection to an NFT “rug pull” scheme.#CryptoNews #NFT #RugPullhttps://t.co/z9qQp7WY54
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) February 28, 2024
Two individuals, including a senior airman and cyber analyst in the U.S. military, have been charged with money laundering in connection to an NFT “rug pull” scheme.#CryptoNews #NFT #RugPullhttps://t.co/z9qQp7WY54A Tragic End Before Sentencing
While awaiting sentencing, Nowlin’s unexpected death has added a tragic dimension to an already somber case.
His family conveyed their grief, noting that he was struggling with the burden of his conviction and the impending punishment.
The specific circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, but his family confirmed it was a suicide.
The charges Nowlin faced carried severe consequences, including significant prison time.
Prosecutors emphasized the breach of trust involved in the fraud, as investors had placed their faith in the project, only to be misled.
The post Convict in ‘Undead Apes’ NFT Scheme Takes Life Days Before Sentencing appeared first on Cryptonews.
