The founding father of the longest-running crypto mixer on the darknet has simply been ordered to serve 12 years and 6 months in jail.
In an announcement, the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) says Roman Sterlingov was sentenced for working the cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, which laundered tons of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in digital property for a decade.
Prosecutors say that the 36-year-old operated Bitcoin Fog from 2011 to 2021 when it processed over 1.2 million Bitcoin (BTC) value roughly $400 million on the time of the transactions.
The DOJ says the funds had been principally from darknet marketplaces and legal actions linked to unlawful narcotics, pc crimes, identification theft and different illicit acts.
Sterlingov was sentenced following a one-month jury trial earlier this 12 months, which discovered him responsible of cash laundering conspiracy, cash laundering, working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise and cash transmission and not using a license.
Says US Legal professional Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia,
“At this time’s sentence sends an unmistakable message: those that assist criminals with on-line funds for his or her unlawful actions will face severe penalties. This prosecution additionally supplies extra proof that we now have the expert investigators and gifted prosecutors wanted to carry those that function these darknet websites accountable.”
Along with the jail time period, Sterlingov was ordered to pay a forfeiture cash judgment of $395.5 million and forfeit $1.76 million value of crypto and financial property. He was additionally ordered to forfeit his curiosity in a Bitcoin Fog pockets holding roughly 1,345 BTC value over $103 million.
Do not Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get electronic mail alerts delivered on to your inbox
Examine Worth Motion
Comply with us on X, Fb and Telegram
Surf The Every day Hodl Combine
Generated Picture: Midjourney