Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Bitcoin privateness device Samourai Pockets, spent Christmas Eve documenting his first day inside a US federal jail, providing a private account as a crypto developer now serving a five-year sentence.
In a letter shared by The Rage, he described the expertise of surrendering himself to the jail camp. The account detailed the consumption course of, which included searches, medical clearances and the transition into jail housing.
Rodriguez additionally described the emotional weight of leaving his household days earlier than Christmas.
“Whereas under no circumstances snug, it’s manageable. Whereas I might somewhat be at dwelling with my spouse and household, there are far worse locations I might have ended up,” Rodriguez wrote. “I’m grateful that each one the prisoners listed here are respectful and downright pleasant.”
The letter, dated Wednesday, Christmas Eve, marked the developer’s seventh day on the facility. He mentioned that he was scheduled to obtain his spouse as his first customer on Christmas Day.
Rodriguez’s imprisonment has grow to be a focus for debates concerning the felony legal responsibility of open-source builders, significantly these engaged on crypto privateness instruments. The case has been intently watched alongside the prosecution of Roman Storm, a co-founder of Twister Money, elevating questions on whether or not writing and sustaining code may be handled as a felony offense when third events use that software program for illicit exercise.
Group members signal petition for pardon
Rodriguez was sentenced he Nov. 19 on expenses stemming from his involvement within the crypto mixing protocol.
A petition calling for clemency for Rodriguez had gathered over 12,000 signatures, reflecting sustained concern amongst privateness advocates and open-source builders. The petition described Rodriguez’s case as “a chilling assault on free speech and innovation.”
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US President Donald Trump mentioned he would evaluation the case of Rodriguez, signaling a possible opening for clemency, after he began serving his sentence.
Talking to reporters on Dec. 16, Trump mentioned he had heard concerning the case and would “check out it,” including that he was not conversant in the main points however was open to reviewing it.
In a social publish on Saturday, Rodriguez publicly known as on Trump to grant a pardon, framing his prosecution for example of “lawfare” carried out below the earlier administration.
He argued that his case concerned no direct victims and accused regulators and judges of focusing on him as a part of an anti-innovation agenda.
Whereas Trump has not commented additional on the request, his assertion has saved the potential for government clemency in focus because the developer started serving his sentence.
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