Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing

The Cases

These are their stories. Each one is a person — a family member, a friend, a human being. We believe they deserve another chance.

Ian Freeman

Ian Freeman

Federal — District of New Hampshire

96 months (8 years) federal prison, 2 years supervised release, $40,000 fine, $3,502,708.69 restitution to 29 victims, forfeiture of seized assets including over 100 Bitcoin

Conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business Operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business +3 more

Keonne Rodriguez

Keonne Rodriguez

Federal — Southern District of New York

5 years federal prison (statutory maximum), 3 years supervised release, $250,000 fine, forfeiture of $6,367,139.69 in currency plus samouraiwallet.com domain and Google Play application, forfeiture money judgment of $237,832,360.55

Conspiracy to commit money laundering (dismissed as part of plea) Conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business (pleaded guilty)

Ray Youssef

Ray Youssef

Federal — Eastern District of California

Awaiting trial. Not yet convicted. Currently released under supervision; cannot leave the United States.

Conspiracy to evade anti-money laundering requirements Operating an unlicensed money transmitting business +1 more

Roger Ver

Roger Ver

Federal — Central District of California (original indictment); arrested in Spain, extradition contested through European Court of Human Rights

Mail fraud (multiple counts up to 20 years each) +3 more

Roman Sterlingov

Roman Sterlingov

Federal — District of Columbia

12 years, 6 months (150 months) federal prison, forfeiture money judgment of $395,563,025.39, forfeiture of 1,345 Bitcoin (valued at approximately $103 million), forfeiture of $1.76 million in seized cryptocurrency and monetary assets

Money laundering conspiracy Money laundering +2 more

Roman Storm

Roman Storm

Awaiting sentencing on one count (up to 5 years). Retrial sought by DOJ on two additional counts (up to 40 years combined). Currently free on $2 million bail.

Conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business (convicted by jury August 6 +2 more

William Lonergan Hill

William Lonergan Hill

Federal — Southern District of New York

4 years federal prison, 3 years supervised release, $250,000 fine, forfeiture of $6.3 million (shared with co-defendant Rodriguez), forfeiture money judgment of $237,832,360.55

Conspiracy to commit money laundering (dismissed as part of plea)

Ross William Ulbricht

Ross William Ulbricht

Federal — Southern District of New York

Double life imprisonment plus 40 years, without the possibility of parole (PARDONED — January 21, 2025)

Distributing narcotics Distributing narcotics by means of the internet +5 more