TLDR
- Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith’s prison sentence was reduced from 63 to 56 months.
- Griffith pleaded guilty to violating US sanctions on North Korea in 2021.
- The sentence reduction was based on Griffith’s behavior and challenges faced in prison.
- Griffith spoke at a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea in 2019.
- He could be eligible for release as early as January 2025.
Virgil Griffith, a former Ethereum developer, has had his prison sentence reduced by seven months in a case involving violations of US sanctions on North Korea.
US District Judge Kevin Castel signed an order on July 16, 2024, cutting Griffith’s original 63-month sentence to 56 months.
The case stems from Griffith’s visit to North Korea in 2019, where he attended and spoke at a cryptocurrency and blockchain conference in Pyongyang.
During the event, Griffith gave presentations on how North Korea could use cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions and engage in money laundering activities.
In 2021, Griffith pleaded guilty to breaking sanctions laws, admitting his role in providing information that could help North Korea bypass international restrictions. His guilty plea came before his criminal trial was set to begin.
Judge Castel’s decision to reduce the sentence took into account Griffith’s behavior while in prison and the challenges he faced during his incarceration.
MASSIVE news, frens — Virgil Griffith is coming home! Moments ago, the Court granted our motion to reduce Virgil's sentence and Judge Castel shaved seven months off the sentence. pic.twitter.com/568nPKtOsC
— Alexander Urbelis (@aurbelis) July 17, 2024
The court recognized that Griffith had committed some violations of prison rules but also noted the difficulties he encountered while serving his sentence.
Despite the reduction, Judge Castel emphasized the seriousness of Griffith’s crime and the need for a significant prison term.
The judge stated that while the risk of Griffith committing future offenses may have decreased, the gravity of his actions still warranted substantial punishment.
Prosecutors, led by US Attorney Damian Williams, opposed any reduction in Griffith’s sentence. They argued that Griffith’s actions were deliberate attempts to aid North Korea, a country known for its hostility toward the United States and its poor human rights record.
During his time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan, Griffith faced several infractions, including allegations of attempting to steal prison supplies.
However, his defense team highlighted instances of improved behavior, such as reporting potential conflicts to prison authorities.
The reduced sentence means Griffith could be eligible for release as early as January 2025. This is later than his legal team had hoped for, as they had sought a further reduction based on changes to US sentencing guidelines.
In addition to his criminal case, Griffith is subject to a 10-year export privilege denial order from the US Department of Commerce. This order, which runs until 2032, limits his involvement with export-controlled items.
Griffith’s case has drawn attention in the cryptocurrency community and highlights the legal risks associated with providing technological expertise to sanctioned countries.
It also underscores the US government’s commitment to enforcing sanctions laws, even in cases involving emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency.
