Man pretending to be a “Bitcoin Billionaire” swindled Jackson businesses out of $212K, according to prosecutors
A California man has been accused of posing as a bitcoin billionaire and running up nearly $212,000 in expenses at luxury resorts, bars, and car dealerships in Wyoming’s affluent Teton County over the past year, according to recently released court documents. Kevin Michael Segal, 30, appealed to Teton County Judge Melissa Owens for a decreased bond so he could leave jail to rescue his family and property from the wildfires in Los Angeles. Segal claimed to have sufficient resources to hire a private attorney rather than relying on the Teton County public defender’s office and desired the opportunity to access those resources. However, the county prosecutor objected, arguing that Segal should be detained on a $50,000 cash-only bond due to his lack of ties to the area and the severity of the charges against him.
Segal has entered a plea of not guilty to 14 felony charges and three misdemeanors that he faces. If convicted and sentenced consecutively for all 17 offenses, the potential prison term could reach 141.5 years, alongside several thousand dollars in fines. The investigation into Segal’s activities began in March 2024 when the Rocky Mountain Yeti car dealership in Jackson, Wyoming, informed the Teton County Sheriff’s Office that Segal had purportedly agreed to transfer $159,427 for a 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup but failed to fulfill this commitment. Despite initial attempts to resolve this by cutting a check, Segal’s payment method was unsuccessful, leading to further inquiries. Segal’s stay at the Caldera House also ended abruptly, with him reportedly leaving without settling a $14,870.30 guest bill and outstanding bar tab.
As the investigation continued, it was discovered that Segal had presented himself as a bitcoin billionaire to execute an intricate scheme of deception, deceiving high-end establishments and small courier companies alike. From unmet payment obligations at upscale resorts like Amangani and Spring Creek Ranch, totaling in thousands of dollars, to unpaid bills at local places like the Mangy Moose, Segal’s trail of financial discrepancies only increased with each new revelation. One egregious instance involved Segal tasking someone to buy a DJI drone and reimburse them for the purchase – however, the check he provided failed to clear, exacerbating the scenario.
Law enforcement authorities ultimately traced Segal to his Redondo Beach, California residence through the pickup truck’s GPS system, leading to his arrest. The Rocky Mountain Yeti dealership faced a significant monetary loss due to the episode involving the Dodge truck, which played a central role in Segal’s escapades. Furthermore, a delivery man entrusted with transporting the vehicle to Los Angeles suffered as a result of Segal’s unfulfilled promises to cover essential expenses, such as flights back to Wyoming, leaving them to foot the bill themselves.
Additionally, Segal had reportedly used the services of a local woman who delivers groceries, yet his credit card charges were ultimately canceled, amounting to further losses in Teton County. When combining the unpaid amounts across multiple local establishments where Segal allegedly ran up bills, the total figure reached an astounding $211,852.37. These revelations have underscored the complex web of alleged deception that Segal wove across various sectors within Teton County, creating chaos and financial loss for a range of businesses and individuals. The ongoing legal proceedings will seek to hold Segal accountable for his actions and bring justice to those affected by his fraudulent activities.
