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“Bitcoin Rodney,” Accused in Cryptocurrency Case, Seeks Pretrial Release
An online cryptocurrency influencer popularly known as “Bitcoin Rodney” on Tuesday challenged being held in prison awaiting trial and asked a judge to release him under high-intensity supervision.
According to the pretrial services report, Rodney Burton’s aunt, who resides in Maryland, is willing to serve as his guardian if the court releases Burton.
Burton was arrested at Miami International Airport in January and charged with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
A detention review hearing is set for July 8 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. No trial date has been set.
Magistrate Judge Erin Aslan of the U.S. District Court in Baltimore ordered Burton detained pending trial, citing compelling evidence, including witnesses, transaction logs and recorded calls, as well as the fact that Burton was receiving $40,000 a month from income and owned yachts, cars and other assets. The judge also noted that Burton was arrested with a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates, according to court documents.
Burton said he will no longer own a yacht as of May 2024, which the government has cited as a significant asset and a way to “escape” Dubai despite no longer having a passport.
According to Burton, the government selected “self-serving” excerpts taken out of context from the approximately 35-minute recorded phone call that were used as evidence to establish a “serious risk” that he would not appear at trial and of which he was aware. guilt.
In a December phone call with Brenda Chunga, also known as “Bitcoin Beautee,” Burton said he discussed a new business opportunity involving artificial intelligence, not cryptocurrency or “passive income,” and his intention to moving to Dubai in January to run his new business. .
The government alleged that Burton booked a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates to evade prosecution. Burton said it is clear in the recording that he did not know whether he was being investigated for this case or whether he would be arrested.
Burton argued that his trip to Dubai was “mandatory” as he has “legitimate business opportunities” there and never mentioned going there to avoid prosecution in the recorded call.
In a detention memo, the government said Burton was part of a “Ponzi scheme,” but unlike Chunga who pleaded guilty to security and wire fraud, Burton is not charged with securities fraud or wire fraud crimes.
Burton also defended his character in favor of his release.
He said he has a nonviolent criminal record, which occurred more than 17 years ago, and that he has not missed a court hearing in any of those cases.
Burton successfully completed substance abuse treatment in 2012 and noted the case in which he corrected a statement about his own violation that he had last used cocaine “ten years ago” by reporting his most recent use at Maryland Pretrial Services.
Additionally, Burton said the crimes he is accused of are not conducive to incarceration because they are nonviolent in nature.
The criminal case involves Burton, 54; Chunga, 43, a partner; and Sam Lee, 35, an international fugitive; who are accused of orchestrating a $1.89 billion cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme in which they falsely told investors they would receive substantial returns from trades that did not exist.