- Roman Sterlingov disputes a 30-year sentence, arguing it’s excessive compared to similar cases involving crypto mixing services.
- The U.S. government seeks to seize assets, including 1,354 Bitcoin, tied to the operations of the Bitcoin Fog service.
- Sterlingov’s case is part of a broader legal crackdown on crypto mixing services, with other founders facing similar charges.
Roman Sterlingov, the founder of the cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, opposes a 30-year prison sentence after being convicted of money probe charges. In March, a jury in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia found Sterlingov guilty of four counts related to his involvement in the operations of Bitcoin Fog.
Sterlingov Hits Back the Prison Sentence
The details of the sentence were noted by an X platform user, where he noted that the CryptoMixer founder claimed the prison sentence is unwarranted after convictions of four counts related to money laundering through the operations of the crypto mixing.
Sterlingov’s legal representatives forwarded a filing on August 15, noting that the government’s 20 to 30-year sentencing is above the limit. The representatives have claimed the proposed sentence is unwarranted compared to similar cases. The defense has not said a specific sentence but insisted that a far shorter term would be more considerable given the state.
The charges against Roman started from issues that he controlled Bitcoin Fog, a crypto mixing service, from 2011 to 2021. The court argued that Bitcoin Fog was used by criminals to launder drug trafficking, identity theft, and computer fraud. According to the U.S. government, the service generated $400 million in Bitcoin, connected to these illegal activities.
Upcoming Sentencing and Asset Forfeiture Hearings
Judge Randolph Moss initially set Sterlingov’s sentencing hearing for August 21. However, the court will first address the government’s order of forfeiture, which includes the potential seizure of assets, such as 1,354 Bitcoin held in a Bitcoin Fog wallet since 2012. The government also seeks a $395 million judgment as part of the forfeiture.
Sterlingov’s case is one of several involving crypto mixing services currently under legal probe. Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm also faces criminal charges in the U.S., with a trial expected in December. Meanwhile, another Tornado Cash developer, Alexey Pertsev, is appealing a five-year sentence after being convicted of money laundering charges earlier this year.
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