The developer of the Bitcoin Mixing Service pleaded guilty to counting each conspiracy to run an unlicensed money transfer business on Wednesday, a plea deal that dramatically reduced the potential prison time in creating privacy tools.
Both Keonne Rodriguez and William “Bill” Ronergan Hill changed their pleas at consecutive hearings in front of District Judge Dennis Court in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) on Wednesday. The pair were initially charged with one count of each of the funds washing and conspiracy to commit a conspiracy.
Their plea deal hit the government with more serious money laundering claims. This was a sentence that pleaded guilty to the greatest financial communication charge and sentenced the maximum sentence in a more serious prison sentence in prison. Additionally, Rodriguez and Hill agreed to forfeiture of just under $238 million, which was paid $6.3 million before the November sentencing date.
The change in Rodriguez and Hill’s plea comes as tornado cash developer Roman Storm, who faces similar charges to create another privacy-focused crypto mixing service, is on trial in the same court. Storm’s trial ended Wednesday just hours after Samourai’s wallet developer pleaded guilty, and ju judges are currently deliberating.
The government’s plea bargain offer against Samourai’s wallet developer came as Storm’s trial is still ongoing.
Until the pair is sentenced later this year, Court has requested that they remain on house arrest and ordered Portuguese resident Hill to return to New York and bring the rest of his home arrest to court, Bitcoin Magazine reported.
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