Crypto Mixer Founder Challenges ‘Unwarranted’ 30-Year Prison Sentence in High-Stakes Battle – CoinAero

CoinAero
3 Min Read


Key takeaways:

  • Roman Sterlingov was found guilty of money laundering charges, but his attorneys have appealed against a “lengthy” sentence.
  • Based on sentences in similar cases, the founder of Bitcoin Fog’s attorneys argued that the government’s recommendations were “unwarranted.”

Roman Sterlingov was found guilty of money laundering charges, but his attorneys have appealed against a “lengthy” sentence.

Roman Sterlingov, the creator of the crypto mixer Bitcoin Fog, was found guilty of money laundering charges, but his attorneys have appealed against a “lengthy” sentence.

In response to the prosecution’s request that Sterlingov spend between 20 and 30 years in prison, his legal team did not appear to offer a precise sentencing recommendation in a filing made on August 15 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. 

Based on sentences in similar cases, the founder of Bitcoin Fog’s attorneys argued that the government’s recommendations were “unwarranted.”

A jury found Sterlingov guilty in March of money laundering, conspiracy to launder money, running an unauthorized money transmitting company, and sending money without a license in the District of Columbia. 

He allegedly ran the crypto mixer from 2011 to 2021, providing money laundering services to offenders who wanted to conceal their illegal gains from the authorities, according to the prosecution.

The US government claims that Bitcoin Fog made it easier to move almost $400 million in Bitcoin associated with illegal operations like computer fraud, identity theft, and drug trafficking. 

While connected to the crypto mixer, Sterlingov’s attorneys maintained that he was not in charge of running it. The sentencing memo stated:

“A far lower sentence – informed by Mr. Sterlingov’s future, past and unselfish commitment to the wellbeing of his family and friends – is […] appropriate,”

Initially setting aside August 21 for Sterlingov’s sentencing, Judge Randolph Moss later announced that the court would hear arguments on the government’s order of forfeiture. A $395 million judgment and 1,354 Bitcoin in a Bitcoin Fog wallet that hasn’t been touched since 2012 are among the assets at stake.

The trial for Roman Storm, the co-founder of Tornado Cash, who is also being prosecuted in the US for his alleged involvement in the crypto mixing business, is set for December. 

The developer of the platform, Alexey Pertsev, announced on August 10 that he was back in jail after being found guilty in May of money laundering charges and was appealing a 5-year sentence.



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