Former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith, who was handed a 63-month jail time period in 2022 for helping North Korea in utilizing blockchain know-how, has requested a sentence discount.
The plea was made in a letter from Glen Garrett McGorty, an legal professional representing Virgil Griffith, to Choose Kevin Castel of the US District Court docket for the Southern District of New York on April 17.
The letter requests that the courtroom revise Griffith’s sentence primarily based on newly enacted revisions to U.S. sentencing tips, which give a two-point offense stage discount for sure “zero-point” offenders.
Griffith was sentenced to 63 months and a $100,000 effective in April 2022 after pleading guilty to violating sanctions legal guidelines when he attended a convention in North Korea and assisted the state in utilizing blockchain know-how — regardless of financial sanctions imposed by the US.
The letter argues that Griffith qualifies for a two-point discount as a “zero-point” offender primarily based on the standards outlined within the revised tips.
This discount would decrease his whole offense stage from 26 to 24, leading to a revised tips vary of 51 to 63 months — doubtlessly shaving a 12 months or extra off his sentence.
The letter requests that the courtroom order the U.S. Probation Workplace to draft a revised pre-sentence investigation report, schedule a resentencing listening to, and permit for a briefing schedule so the protection can present up to date data and arguments for his or her discount request.
“The protection respectfully requests the chance to offer the Court docket with up to date data which might counsel towards a sentence no higher than the bottom finish of the brand new Pointers vary–51 months—if not decrease.”
A “zero-point” offender is a first-time, non-violent offender whose crime meets sure standards indicating a decrease danger of recidivism in comparison with different lawbreakers.
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In Could 2023, the U.S. Division of Commerce additionally imposed a 10-year export privilege ban on Griffith, who was serving the primary 12 months of his five-year sentence.
This implies he was restricted from participating in any transactions involving commodities, software program, or know-how that fall beneath the jurisdiction of U.S. export rules.
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