Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, co-founders of Samourai Wallet, are set to plead guilty to federal charges related to their roles in a cryptocurrency mixing service that allegedly processed over $2 billion in unlawful transactions.
Founders to Change Pleas in Federal Court
In filings submitted to a New York federal court, Rodriguez and Hill stated their intention to change their previous not guilty pleas. The hearing to finalize the plea change was scheduled for Wednesday morning, marking a pivotal shift in the high-profile case.
The charges stem from operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Document on behalf of Keonne Rodriguez reflecting his change in plea. Source: CourtListener
Federal prosecutors claim Samourai Wallet’s crypto mixing service facilitated transactions tied to darknet markets, including Silk Road, by blending funds to obscure their origins.
Facing a Combined 25-Year Sentence
Rodriguez, the CEO, and Hill, the CTO, were arrested in April 2024 and initially denied all allegations. However, with this change of plea, both now face up to 25 years in federal prison — 20 years for money laundering and 5 years for unlicensed financial operations.
This shift comes after previous legal attempts to dismiss the charges were unsuccessful.
Earlier this year, the defendants argued that a Department of Justice memo suggested crypto mixer operators may not be criminally liable for regulatory violations made in ignorance. Their legal team also accused prosecutors of withholding favorable information — none of which swayed the court.
Broader Implications for Privacy Protocols
The Samourai Wallet case unfolds in parallel with other major investigations targeting crypto privacy tools, including the ongoing trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm.
Storm’s case is being closely watched, as a conviction could set a precedent for criminalizing open-source software that enables on-chain privacy. Privacy advocates argue this threatens decentralized finance innovation and individual rights.
_The guilty pleas in the Samourai case highlight rising regulatory scrutiny on tools that aim to protect user anonymity within blockchain ecosystems.
As the crypto landscape evolves, legal frameworks are quickly adapting — placing increased pressure on projects offering financial privacy through decentralized technologies.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.
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