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Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith's sentencing reduced by seven months

Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith's sentencing reduced by seven months

The BlockThe Block2024/07/17 19:49
By:The Block

Quick Take Virgil Griffith was sentenced to 63 months in 2022 after U.S. prosecutors said he violated sanctions law when he traveled to North Korea in 2019 to “deliver a presentation and technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions.” U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel ordered Griffith’s sentencing to be reduced from 63 months to 56 months on Tuesday.

Ethereum ETH -0.97% developer Virgil Griffith got seven months shaved off his sentencing, a judge ordered this week.

Griffith was sentenced to 63 months, or about five years, in April 2022 after U.S. prosecutors said he violated sanctions law when he traveled to North Korea in 2019 to "deliver a presentation and technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions."

U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel ordered Griffith's sentencing reduced to 56 months, noting challenges and some "disciplinary infractions" he has received while in prison. 

"The need to protect the public from further crimes of this defendant has somewhat dissipated, although the Court does note the defendant’s 'rule infractions' while in BOP [Bureau of Prisons] custody," the judge said in a Tuesday court filing. "The Court also takes note of the significant hardships the defendant has experienced while incarcerated. The need to impose just punishment for this serious offense, to promote respect for law, and to deter others from committing similar crimes, however, tilts against a substantial sentence reduction."

Griffith pleaded guilty to sanctions violations in 2021 just as his trial in New York began and jury selection was expected to start. The U.S. Justice Department said Griffith knew that the information he provided to North Korea could help the country evade sanctions. 

Griffith's lawyers  argued for a lower sentencing in April, stating that their client had no criminal history and didn't cause financial hardship. 

"While Mr. Griffith has always disagreed with the Government’s characterization of his conduct, he understands and accepts the criminal nature of what he did and remains remorseful— indeed even more so since reflecting on his conduct while in BOP custody, as discussed further below.   

His lawyers also addressed the rule infractions in another court filing . Griffith was assigned to a cell, but two days later, his cellmate said he had to leave, they said. 

"Mr. Griffith, desperate to avoid an altercation which would certainly return him to the SHU, told his unit officer about this instruction," his lawyers said. "His unit officer then directed him to another location until the paperwork could be completed to officially move Mr.Griffith.  It was during this time that a facility count occurred and, at that time, Mr. Griffith was not in his designated cell, thus violating another BOP rule."

The government previously said Griffith should not get a reduced sentencing due to his "brazen participation in a conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions on North Korea" in a court filing responding to the lower sentencing. 

"Griffith acted despite knowing that North Korea was committing atrocities against its own people and had made threats against the United States, including nuclear capabilities," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. 


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