Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Bitcoin privacy tool Samourai Wallet, spent Christmas Eve documenting his first day in a US federal prison, offering a rare personal account of a crypto developer who is now beginning a five-year sentence.
Key points to remember:
- Keonne Rodriguez shared a personal account of her first days in federal prison.
- His case has reignited the debate on the criminal liability of open source crypto developers.
- A growing pardon campaign highlights concerns about free speech and innovation.
In a letter shared by The Rage, Rodriguez described going to a federal prison camp and going through the intake process, which included searches, medical checks and being assigned to housing.
The letter, dated Wednesday, marked his seventh day in the facility and reflected the emotional toll of his entry into custody just days before Christmas.
Rodriguez calls first days in prison ‘manageable’
“While this is not at all comfortable, it is manageable,” Rodriguez wrote. “As much as I prefer to be at home with my wife and family, there are much worse places I could have ended up.”
He added that he was grateful that the other prisoners had been “respectful and downright friendly,” a detail that seemed reassuring in an otherwise difficult transition.
Rodriguez said he was scheduled to have his wife as his first visitor on Christmas Day.
He also noted that the timing of his incarceration forced his family to celebrate this holiday earlier this year, highlighting the personal cost of his sentence, beyond the legal consequences.
Rodriguez’s imprisonment attracted attention within the crypto community, where it became a flashpoint in the broader debate over the criminal liability of open source developers.
Privacy advocates say his case, along with the prosecution of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, raises unresolved questions about whether writing and maintaining code can be a crime when third parties use that software for illicit purposes.
Rodriguez was convicted on November 19 on charges related to his role in operating a crypto mixing protocol.
Supporters say the lawsuits set a dangerous precedent for developers who create privacy-focused tools, while authorities argue the case focuses on facilitating illegal activity rather than protecting speech.
A petition calling for clemency for Rodriguez has garnered more than 12,000 signatures, reflecting continued concern among developers and digital rights advocates.
The petition describes the case as “a chilling attack on free speech and innovation,” warning that it could discourage the development of open source in the United States.
Trump says he will review Samourai Wallet co-founder’s case
The possibility of an executive pardon also came into the conversation. US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he would review Rodriguez’s case, telling reporters on December 16 that he had heard about it and would “take a look at it”, while acknowledging that he was unfamiliar with the details.
These comments came after Rodriguez began serving his sentence.
In a subsequent social media post, Rodriguez publicly apologized to Trump, calling his prosecution an example of “legal warfare” waged under the previous administration.
He argued that his case did not involve any direct victims and accused regulators and judges of targeting him as part of a broader anti-innovation campaign.
The post Samourai Wallet Co-Founder Describes First Day Behind Bars in Letter appeared first on Cryptonews.
