NEW YORK — A jury has reached a verdict in the case against Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, convicting him of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The jury deliberated for a week, during which it grappled with complex charges involving money laundering and sanctions violations but was ultimately deadlocked on those counts.
Court documents released by Judge Katherine Failla reveal that, as jurors navigated this high-profile case, they made multiple inquiries for additional information. Their requests included transcripts of witness testimonies, clarifications around the indictment specifics, and details on the wallets linked to North Korean sanctions.
After the closing arguments on July 30, the jury’s deliberations began, showing early signs of struggle. They informed the judge of their indecision on the additional charges early Wednesday, indicating that some jurors remained unconvinced about the prosecution’s case.
In a communication to the court, the jury foreperson shared, “We have made our best effort to continue deliberating and come to a unanimous decision. However, there are jurors who are set in stone with their decision.” This message was sent just hours before the jury announced its verdict on a single charge against Storm.
The jury received specific instructions regarding the criteria necessary for a conviction on money laundering, which included proving that Storm had knowingly participated in a conspiracy. The complexity of these legal standards contributed to the difficulty faced by jurors in determining Storm’s degree of involvement in the alleged illicit activities.
Despite reaching a verdict on one count, the jury could not come to a consensus on the more severe allegations, which included accusations of facilitating money laundering and breaching U.S. sanctions. The identities of the jurors have not been disclosed, but it was noted that one member celebrated her 90th birthday during the deliberation process.
As of Friday, a sentencing date for the felony charge against Storm has not yet been established. Furthermore, it remains uncertain if the government plans to pursue retrials for the unresolved charges related to money laundering and sanctions violations.
Attempts to obtain comments from Storm’s legal team have yet to yield responses. The outcome of this case has significant implications within the cryptocurrency sector, as it raises questions about regulations and compliance in an evolving digital economy.
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