Samourai Wallet Co-Founder Pleads Not Guilty to Money Laundering Charges
Keonne Rodriguez, the co-founder of Samourai Wallet, entered a not guilty plea in a Manhattan courtroom to charges related to the development and promotion of the privacy-focused bitcoin wallet and mixing service.
Alongside his co-founder, William Lonergan Hill, Rodriguez faces allegations of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. These charges carry significant potential penalties, with sentences of up to 20 years and five years, respectively.
The prosecution alleges that Samourai Wallet facilitated over $100 million in money laundering transactions connected to illegal dark web markets and around $2 billion in unlawful transactions overall. This follows the recent seizure of Samourai Wallet’s servers. The arrests and shutdown of Samourai Wallet have sparked concern within the crypto community, with many interpreting the move as a broader attempt by the U.S. government to criminalize financial privacy tools.
Rodriguez was arrested at his home in Harmony, Pennsylvania, early on April 24 and was initially released on a $25,000 bond by a Pennsylvania judge. He was ordered to appear before a magistrate judge in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses later set his bond at $1 million.
READ MORE: Tornado Cash Co-Founder Seeks Trial Delay to 2025
This bond is secured by real estate in Pennsylvania and guaranteed by the signatures of his wife and another family member. Rodriguez is required to remain at home under location tracking, except when traveling to and from court proceedings.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.
