Federal prosecutors on Wednesday arrested and charged Samurai Wallet founders Keonna Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill with conspiracy to commit money laundering, as the US government continues its approach to going after crypto mixing tools that can be used by illicit actors and foreign governments to hide fund transfers.
According to a press release issued Wednesday, the pair developed, marketed and operated a mixer that «facilitated over $100 million in money laundering transactions on illegal darknet markets.»
In total, Samourai facilitated approximately $2 billion in “illegal transactions,” the report said.
They are also charged with running an unlicensed money services business.
Rodriguez was arrested Wednesday morning and will be arraigned in Pennsylvania today or tomorrow, according to a news release.
Hill, Samourai Wallet's chief technology officer, was arrested Wednesday morning in Portugal and will be extradited to the United States to face charges.