Raheim Hamilton, a 30-year-old co-creator of the darknet marketplace Empire Market, received a 40-year federal prison sentence. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger also imposed a $5 million fine on Hamilton, who previously pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge.
Operating between 2018 and 2020, Empire Market processed over four million transactions valued at more than $430 million. The platform primarily facilitated drug sales, including 13.3 kilograms of fentanyl, 447 kilograms of cocaine, and 103 kilograms of heroin, alongside stolen data and hacking tools.
The marketplace mandated the use of cryptocurrency for all transactions and promoted the use of mixing services to obscure fund origins. Hamilton agreed to forfeit approximately 1,230 BTC, 24.4 ETH, and three properties in Virginia as part of his sentencing agreement.
Thomas Pavey, the platform's co-owner, also pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges. He is scheduled for sentencing later this month and has agreed to forfeit 1,584 BTC, two boxes of 25-ounce gold bars, three vehicles, and two properties in Florida.
