Thomas Daniels
Bitcoin Mixer Operator Sentenced to Three Years for Laundering Over $300 Million
Larry Harmon, an Ohio resident and operator of the darknet Bitcoin mixing service Helix, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for laundering more than $300 million worth of Bitcoin, according to Bloomberg. The U.S. Justice Department stated that Helix was designed to obscure cryptocurrency transaction origins, facilitating illegal activities such as drug sales and counterfeit goods transactions.
Helix’s Darknet Operations
From 2014 to 2017, Harmon’s service collaborated with notorious darknet marketplaces, including AlphaBay, to process illicit payments. Prosecutors revealed that Helix laundered over 350,000 Bitcoin, equivalent to approximately $311 million at the time, enabling criminal users to evade detection.
Harmon pleaded guilty in 2021 to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiracy to launder funds. In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered Harmon to forfeit the full $311 million value of the laundered cryptocurrency. This punishment follows a $60 million fine levied by the U.S. Treasury for anti-money laundering violations.
The Role of Mixers in Crypto Crime
Darknet mixers like Helix exploit the pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrencies by breaking the traceable links between transaction senders and recipients. This capability has made them invaluable tools for criminals attempting to bypass law enforcement surveillance on public blockchain ledgers.
Harmon’s case underscores the challenges regulators face in combatting cryptocurrency-enabled crime, despite Bitcoin’s transparency. Law enforcement efforts to dismantle such networks have increasingly targeted operators like Harmon.
Reduced Sentence for Cooperation
Harmon’s sentence was reduced in recognition of his cooperation with federal prosecutors in related cases, including the conviction of Roman Sterlingov, the operator of another prominent Bitcoin mixer, Bitcoin Fog. Authorities expressed confidence that Harmon’s case would deter future operations seeking to exploit similar technologies.
A Family Fallout
The case’s ramifications extended to Larry Harmon’s brother, Gary Harmon, who was sentenced to four years in prison. In 2020, authorities uncovered that Gary used stolen credentials to access Bitcoin stored in an IRS evidence locker, spending the funds on luxury goods.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Larry Harmon highlights the U.S. government’s determination to curtail the illicit use of cryptocurrency mixers. While mixers offer privacy solutions for legitimate users, their role in enabling criminal activity remains a focal point for regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
