A software developer and Samourai Wallet co-founder serving five years after pleading guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
“Code should not be a crime.”— Lauren Rodriguez
Case
U.S. v. Rodriguez
Status
Incarcerated
Sentence
5 years
The case
When privacy software is treated as a money transmitter.
Federal prosecutors charged Rodriguez and Hill over Samourai Wallet’s Bitcoin privacy services. Rodriguez ultimately pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and received the statutory maximum sentence. His supporters argue that applying money-transmission law to non-custodial software threatens financial privacy and software development far beyond this case.
Documented record
Rodriguez pleaded guilty in July 2025 and was sentenced in November 2025 to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Government position
Prosecutors said Samourai was designed and promoted to conceal criminal proceeds and that Rodriguez knowingly encouraged illicit use of its services.
Defense and family position
Supporters describe Samourai as neutral, non-custodial privacy software and argue that developers should not be imprisoned for how third parties use code they create.
Editorial note: This profile is defense-centered advocacy. Government allegations, court disposition, family testimony, and outside analysis are labeled separately. Quotations from Lauren Rodriguez derive from EotS interview and event transcripts and should be checked against the final media edit.
Case chronology
From open-source wallet to federal prison.
01
Samourai Wallet development begins
Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill began developing a non-custodial Bitcoin wallet with privacy features including Whirlpool and Ricochet.
02
Arrested and Samourai seized
Federal agents arrested Rodriguez in Pennsylvania as prosecutors unsealed money-laundering and unlicensed-money-transmission conspiracy charges. The service’s web infrastructure was seized.
03
Guilty plea entered
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The money-laundering count was not part of the plea disposition.
04
Sentenced to five years
Judge Denise L. Cote imposed the statutory maximum five-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
05
Sentence begins
Rodriguez surrendered to federal custody. His family and supporters continue to seek a presidential pardon and financial support for the families.
06
Pardon campaign continues
The authorized advocacy campaign continues to collect petition signatures, family support, letters, and public attention. Facility information should be checked at billandkeonne.org before mailing.
Watch + listen
The case in their own voices.
LIVE TESTIMONY / EOTS
Code should not be a crime
Lauren Rodriguez · Enemies of the State live event
This first draft uses public records, the authorized advocacy website, and EotS transcripts. Portraits, final event-video links, and additional documents can be added without restructuring the page.
