XRP News Today: Nancy Jones Alleges $17 Million XRP and $400K Cash Stolen by Ex-Boyfriend

Nancy Jones, the widow of country music legend George Jones, has become the victim of a significant cryptocurrency theft case. According to multiple reports, she alleges that her ex-boyfriend, Kirk West, stole approximately 5,534,307 XRP—valued at over $17 million—along with $400,000 in cash from a safe in her Tennessee home [1]. West was arrested at Nashville International Airport on July 24, 2025, just one day after Jones filed a theft report [2].

The incident reportedly came to light after Jones discovered West's infidelity and had already evicted him from her home on June 28. She then reportedly summoned her granddaughter to help secure her assets. The couple, who met in 2013 after the death of George Jones, had maintained a romantic relationship for several years [1].

West, who has a prior legal history—including a guilty plea for bank fraud in 2026—is now facing a Class A felony charge for theft exceeding $250,000. He has been set a bail of $1 million and is scheduled to appear in court on October 23 for the alleged theft of both the XRP and the cash [1]. His legal fees from the earlier bank fraud case were reportedly paid by Jones.

Approximately 5,051,102 XRP tokens have been recovered through legal means, but around 483,205 XRP—worth approximately $1.5 million—remains unaccounted for [1]. There has been no public disclosure of the blockchain addresses involved in the alleged theft, and Ripple Labs or any official regulatory body has yet to comment on the broader implications of the case [1].

The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of individuals with substantial digital assets to theft, particularly within personal relationships. While XRP is one of the more frequently targeted cryptocurrencies, the emotional and financial toll of such incidents can be severe, especially for those unfamiliar with the complexities of managing digital assets.

The partial recovery of the stolen XRP underscores the potential for effective intervention in such cases, yet the difficulty in tracking the remaining assets illustrates the challenges inherent in managing digital currency across global exchanges [1]. The case may also prompt further scrutiny of personal asset protection and the role of trust in managing digital wealth.

Source:

[1] George Jones’ Widow Allegedly Scammed Out $17 Million ... (https://cryptonews.com/news/george-jones-widow-allegedly-scammed-out-of-17-million-worth-of-xrp/)

[2] Williamson County man accused of stealing more than $400K from George Jones' widow (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/williamson-county-man-accused-of-stealing-more-than-400k-from-george-jones-widow/ar-AA1JsDiM)