Key Takeaways:
- Virgil Griffith, convicted for breaching U.S. sanctions by advising North Korea on cryptocurrency use,
- Dev Virgil has had his prison sentence reduced by seven months.
Virgil Griffith, an Ethereum developer who was convicted for breaching U.S. sanctions law by giving a presentation in North Korea on using cryptocurrency and blockchain to evade sanctions, has had his prison sentence reduced by seven months.
This decision comes after the U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel considered the significant challenges Griffith faced and the disciplinary infractions he incurred while in prison.
Griffith was originally sentenced to 63 months (roughly five years) in April 2022. He had traveled to North Korea in 2019 to deliver a speech on how cryptocurrency could be used to circumvent sanctions.
https://twitter.com/aurbelis/status/1813593386710102378
His actions were seen as aiding a hostile regime, and he was subsequently charged and found guilty of violating sanctions laws.
In his ruling, Judge Castel noted that while Griffith’s crime was severe, the need to protect the public from further crimes by him had diminished. The judge also acknowledged the hardships Griffith had endured during his incarceration.
However, Castel emphasized that a substantial reduction in sentence was not warranted given the gravity of the offense and the need to promote respect for the law.
Griffith’s legal team had filed a motion in April 2024 to reduce his sentence, citing changes in U.S. sentencing guidelines and arguing for a range of 51 to 63 months instead of the original 63 to 78 months.
They also highlighted Griffith’s remorse and his acceptance of the criminal nature of his actions, along with addressing the rule infractions that occurred while he was in custody.
In addition to his prison term, Griffith is also subject to a 10-year ban on export privileges imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce in May 2023.
Despite the reduction in his sentence, the judge underscored the importance of a significant prison term to serve as a deterrent against similar crimes in the future. Griffith is now expected to be released in January 2025, pending no further changes to his sentence.
