Legal professionals representing Roman Sterlingov, the founding father of cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, have argued in opposition to a “prolonged” sentence following his conviction on cash laundering expenses.
In an Aug. 15 submitting in america District Court docket for the District of Columbia, Sterlingov’s authorized group didn’t appear to make a particular sentencing advice in response to prosecutors’ petition he ought to serve between 20 and 30 years in jail. Legal professionals for the Bitcoin Fog founder claimed that the federal government’s suggestions have been “unwarranted” based mostly on sentencing in comparable instances.
In March, a jury convicted Sterlingov of money laundering, conspiracy to cash launder, working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise, and cash transmission with no license in DC. Prosecutors alleged he operated the crypto mixer from 2011 to 2021, performing as a cash laundering service for “criminals looking for to cover their illicit proceeds from regulation enforcement.”
‘Circumstantial’ proof
In accordance with the US authorities, Bitcoin Fog facilitated transferring roughly $400 million in Bitcoin (BTC) tied to illicit actions, together with drug trafficking, identification theft, and laptop fraud. Sterlingov’s attorneys argued he was linked to the crypto mixer however not accountable for its operations.
“A far decrease sentence – knowledgeable by Mr. Sterlingov’s future, previous and unselfish dedication to the wellbeing of his household and pals – is […] acceptable,” mentioned the sentencing memo. “His verdict is […] in keeping with aiding and abetting and never truly working Bitcoin Fog, or ever possessing the Bitcoin Fog servers. Many of the proof at trial was circumstantial and neither the Bitcoin Fog server, server logs, non-public keys or ledger have been ever entered into proof.”
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Choose Randolph Moss initially scheduled an Aug. 21 listening to for Sterlingov’s sentencing however later mentioned the court docket would hear arguments on the federal government’s order of forfeiture. At situation are property, together with 1,354 BTC in a Bitcoin Fog pockets that hasn’t moved since 2012 and a possible $395 million judgment.
Twister Money co-founder Roman Storm, additionally going through felony expenses within the US for his alleged function with the crypto mixing service, is scheduled to go to trial in December. One of many platform’s builders, Alexey Pertsev, reported on Aug. 10 that he was “again behind bars, interesting a 5-year sentence” for cash laundering expenses following a responsible verdict in Might.
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