Bitcoin Prison for laundering

[GRIM]

Boulder resident sentenced to prison for laundering Bitcoin

A Boulder resident was sentenced to federal prison for laundering narcotics money through Bitcoin, a type of cryptocurrency.

www.coloradodaily.com

Boulder resident sentenced to prison for laundering Bitcoin
Emilio Testa to serve one year and one day for money laundering

By MITCHELL BYARS | mbyars@prairiemountainmedia.com | Boulder Daily Camera
PUBLISHED: August 28, 2019 at 4:05 pm | UPDATED: August 28, 2019 at 4:05 pm
A Boulder resident was sentenced to federal prison for laundering narcotics money through Bitcoin, a type of cryptocurrency.
Emilio Testa, who is an Australian national, was sentenced on Aug. 22 by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond Moore to a year and a day in prison for money laundering. Moore also sentenced Testa to a year of supervised release.
“Trying to hide criminal proceeds in Bitcoin? We’re going to find you,” U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn said in a statement. “Working in tandem with our federal partners, our prosecutors are leading the fight against cryptocurrency crimes.”
According to a news release, starting in 2016 Testa got in contact with undercover agents about converting U.S. cash obtained through narcotics sales into cryptocurrency. Testa met with the undercover agents again in 2017 and 2018.
The Internal Revenue Service also investigated the case, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
“Criminals may be sophisticated enough to use cryptocurrency but they’re not smart enough to stay out of jail, as this conviction shows,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steven Cagen said in a statement. “Our agents will continue to shine a light on criminals who use the dark web and Bitcoin to try and conceal their illegal activity.”
Added Kevin Caramucci, acting IRS special agent in charge, “Investigating cyber-enabled schemes is a top priority for IRS-CI and our special agents are experts in conducting complex financial investigations, including those committed on the ‘dark web’ with virtual currency. This sentence shows those choosing to conduct illegal activities, including laundering narcotics proceeds, on the dark web are not hidden from law enforcement’s radar.”