Federal authorities have charged three men with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery in connection with a violent incident that took place in Danbury, Connecticut, in August 2024. The superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in New Haven on October 28, 2025, and unsealed on November 19.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David X. Sullivan, “an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The defendants named in the indictment are James Schwab, 22, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Adam Iza, 25, of California; and Saif Faiq, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri. All three face charges related to their alleged roles in planning and coordinating the kidnapping.
Court documents state that on August 25, 2024, Danbury Police arrested six Florida men following a carjacking involving a Lamborghini Urus and the abduction of two people who were inside the vehicle at the time. Investigators believe that these victims are the parents of an individual suspected of being involved in stealing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency.
Prosecutors allege that Schwab had previously been involved in an altercation with the victims’ son at a Miami nightclub in July 2024. In the days leading up to the crime, Schwab allegedly communicated regularly with some kidnappers, provided funding for their activities, and helped arrange transportation and lodging for participants.
Iza is accused of using cellphone calls and encrypted messaging apps to direct some kidnappers regarding logistics while also providing financial support for both criminal conspiracies.
Faiq allegedly recruited individuals for the crime scheme and traveled to Connecticut as part of plans for home invasion and kidnapping. He is also said to have coordinated efforts with Iza and assisted with surveillance on potential victims.
Schwab was arrested on January 29, 2025; he has since been released on $1.5 million secured bond pending trial. Faiq was taken into custody on November 12, 2025; he remains detained ahead of his arraignment in Connecticut. Iza has been held since September 24, 2024 after being charged separately with unrelated federal offenses in California.
The charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping carries a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment if convicted; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery carries up to twenty years’ imprisonment.
Six other individuals connected to this case have already pleaded guilty to offenses related to carjacking and kidnapping.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force (which includes members from Connecticut State Police), FBI Los Angeles Division, FBI St. Louis Division as well as Danbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck is prosecuting this case.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed gratitude toward colleagues from U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Central District of California and Eastern District of Missouri as well as State’s Attorney’s Office for Judicial District of Danbury for their cooperation during this investigation.
