Roman Sterlingov, the founder of the darknet’s first cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison in the U.S.
Sentence and Charges
Roman Sterlingov was convicted of money laundering, conspiracy to launder money, operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, and transmitting money without a license. Prosecutors sought a sentence of 20 to 30 years, but the court imposed a lesser sentence.
Bitcoin Fog's Operations
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Bitcoin Fog gained notoriety as a 'go-to money laundering service for criminals' during its more than a decade-long operation. Reportedly, the service processed over 1.2 million bitcoins, worth around $400 million at the time. Sterlingov maintains he was only a user of the service, not its operator.
Criticism and Further Actions
Some critics, like crime commentator L0la L33tz, condemned the sentence, calling it a 'grave miscarriage of justice'. While Sterlingov’s remaining bitcoins are being seized, the billions he allegedly earned remain unaccounted for.
Sterlingov's sentence highlights the growing scrutiny by the U.S. government on crypto mixers and related crimes.
