WASHINGTON, D.C. – Roman Sterlingov, a 35-year-old dual Russian-Swedish citizen, has been found guilty by a federal jury for his role in operating Bitcoin Fog, a notorious darknet bitcoin laundering service. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted the conviction as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of justice by U.S. law enforcement, emphasizing that the operation’s extensive efforts to trace illicit bitcoin transactions through the blockchain led to holding Sterlingov accountable.
Bitcoin Fog, described as the longest-running cryptocurrency mixer, facilitated the laundering of over 1.2 million bitcoin, equivalent to approximately $400 million at the time of the transactions. The service was primarily used to obscure the origins of illicit proceeds from darknet marketplaces, including funds derived from narcotics, computer crimes, identity theft, and child sexual abuse material. This operation spanned a decade, from 2011 to 2021.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves emphasized the conviction as a clear message to criminals using technology to conceal their activities. They reiterated the commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice to uncover and prosecute technological schemes designed to hide criminal conduct. IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Jim Lee also highlighted the specialized capabilities of IRS special agents in tracing complex financial activities tied to criminal behavior.
Sterlingov faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for money laundering conspiracy and sting money laundering charges, in addition to a maximum of five years for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money transmission without a license in the District of Columbia. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.