Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, penned a letter from federal prison marking two years since his arrest on April 24, 2024. In his letter, published on Bitcoin Magazine, Rodriguez describes the FBI raid on his home involving over 50 armed agents and his subsequent incarceration at FPC Morgantown.
From Raid to Prison Life
Rodriguez recounts being woken at 5 AM by sirens and commands to surrender. He was arrested alongside his colleague, Bill, while his wife was detained and later released. He worried about his cat escaping during the chaos. Now in prison, Rodriguez says his daily life is controlled by regulations and shouted orders, stripping him of his identity.
Blaming the Biden Administration
Rodriguez attributes the crackdown to what he calls the ‘War on Crypto’ under President Joe Biden, driven by Senator Elizabeth Warren’s anti-crypto stance. He describes himself and Bill as small developers with no political influence, unable to raise funds for legal defense. He claims the government targeted the only effective non-custodial privacy tool in crypto, leaving little public outcry.
Trump’s Promises and Ongoing Struggles
Rodriguez acknowledges President Donald Trump’s promises to end the crypto war, including freeing Ross Ulbricht and curbing the SEC. He notes that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo against prosecuting software developers for user actions. However, Rodriguez argues that line prosecutors ignored these orders, continuing the crackdown. He calls this a ‘civil war’ within the government, with the administrative state resisting change.
Conclusion: A Half-Won War
Rodriguez asserts that while the SEC has been reined in and no new charges filed under novel theories, the war is only half won. He insists it will not be complete until crypto prisoners like himself, Bill, and Roman Storm are freed. Rodriguez urges supporters to write to him at the prison address provided, emphasizing that until all are free, none are free.
