đš 30-Year Prison Sentence For Crypto Mixer Founder
Roman Sterlingov, the mastermind behind the cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, is fighting back against a hefty 30-year prison sentence after being found guilty on multiple money laundering charges.
Disputed Conviction and Sentence:
Sterlingov was convicted in March on charges that included money laundering, conspiracy, and running an unlicensed money transmitting business. Prosecutors allege he operated Bitcoin Fog from 2011 to 2021, helping to launder around $400 million in Bitcoin tied to illegal activities like drug trafficking and identity theft.
However, Sterlingovâs defense disputes the extent of his involvement, arguing that he wasnât responsible for Bitcoin Fog's operations despite being linked to it. They also pointed out that key evidenceâsuch as server logs, private keys, and ledgersâwas never presented in court.
A Call for Fairness:
Sterlingovâs legal team argues that the proposed 20 to 30-year sentence is unjustified, especially when compared to similar cases that resulted in lighter penalties. They emphasize that the sentence should reflect his actual role, which they suggest was more about aiding and abetting rather than direct operation.
Judge Randolph Moss initially planned to sentence Sterlingov on August 21 but has decided to first consider the governmentâs forfeiture order, which includes 1,354 BTC still sitting untouched in a Bitcoin Fog wallet since 2012 and a possible $395 million judgment.
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