Samourai Wallet Co-Founder Begins Prison Sentence, Community Rallies for Pardon
Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of the Bitcoin privacy tool Samourai Wallet, has begun serving a five-year prison sentence, marking a significant development in the debate over the criminal liability of open-source developers. In a letter shared on Christmas Eve, Rodriguez documented his first day in a US federal prison, offering a personal account of his experience as a crypto developer behind bars.
Rodriguez described the intake process, which included searches, medical clearances, and transition to prison housing. He also shared the emotional toll of leaving his family just days before Christmas, stating, “Although it is not comfortable at all, it is manageable. Although I prefer to be home with my wife and family, there are far worse places I could have ended up.” He expressed gratitude for the respectful and friendly nature of his fellow prisoners.
Rodriguez celebrated Christmas early this year before going to prison. Source: Keonne Rodriguez
Community Support and Petition for Pardon
Rodriguez’s detention has sparked a heated debate over the criminal liability of open-source developers, particularly those working on crypto privacy tools. A petition calling for clemency for Rodriguez has garnered over 12,000 signatures, with many advocating for his release. The petition describes the Rodriguez case as “a shocking attack on free expression and innovation.”
US President Donald Trump has signaled a possible opening for a clemency appeal, stating that he would “take a look at” Rodriguez’s case. Trump’s statement has kept the possibility of an executive pardon in focus as the developer begins serving his sentence. Rodriguez has publicly called on Trump to grant a pardon, arguing that his prosecution is an example of “lawfare” carried out under the previous administration.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Debates
The case has significant implications for the crypto community, raising questions about the responsibility of developers for the actions of third-party users. The prosecution of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, has also been closely watched, with many arguing that writing and maintaining code should not be treated as a crime when used for illegal activities by others.
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