| SafeMoon Karony Still Jailed in Utah Bail Denied But Now Order to Move Him Forthwith by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack EDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 8 – On November 2, 2023 SafeMoon's trio were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Inner City Press covered it. Prosecutors charged Braden John Karony, Kyle Nagy, and Thomas Smith with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy for their roles in defrauding investors in a decentralized finance digital asset called “SafeMoon” Earlier today, Karony was arrested in Provo, Utah... On November 3, Smith was arraigned, bond document on Patreon here .... On November 8, EDNY prosecutors wrote "seeking the detention of the defendant Braden John Karony." Full memo on Patreon here. But Karony was ordered free on bond, by Magistrate Daphne A. Oberg (whose previous freeing of January 6 defendant John Earle Sullivan Inner City Press previously covered here). The EDNY prosecutors have written to the assigned District Judge to appeal / seek a stay, 6-page letter on Patreon here. On Sunday November 12 Karony's lawyers wrote in that "without more, every U.S. citizen facing criminal charges in the digital asset space would be detained through trial, in effect establishing an unrebuttable crypto presumption." Full letter on Patreon here. On November 13, Inner City Press live tweeted the bail appeal in which Karony was ordered detained and to be brought to EDNY, thread On November 22, Karony's lawyers filed - Letter on Patreon here. On November 27, the prosecutors replied that transport will take the time it takes, and there is no basis for release. Letter on Patreon here. Late on November 29 the EDNY US Attorney's Office filed its discovery list, on Patreon here. In the run up to an EDNY appearance by co-defendant Smith, the US Attorney's Office on December 5 dispute Karony's lawyers' characterization of their position on Karony calling in from Utah: "Karony’s letter to the Court misstated the government’s position in multiple material respects, he claimed that 'the Government now adopts the position that, due to his continuing detention in Utah, Mr. Karony does not possess the right to appear at Your Honor’s status conference in this case.; The government has taken none of the positions described by counsel, and does not do so now. Prior to filing this letter, the government flagged this discrepancy for defense counsel, and defense counsel asked that the government submit this email correspondence to the Court." Email on Patreon here. Inner City Press called in to District Judge Komitee's proceeding, but heard only lawyers on hot mic. The next day, it was docketed that the hearing - no public access, despite it being by phone? - was before a Magistrate Judge: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge James R. Cho: Detention Hearing as to Braden John Karony held on 12/6/2023. AUSA John Enright and Drew Rolle; Defense Counsel Adam Schuman and Drew Rolle. Detention Hearing held. Government opposed bail for reasons stated on the record. Government opposed the bail package as stated on the record." Was this an open proceeding? Judge Komitee has previously unsealed a sentencing video after Inner City Press' filing. But on this, there may be no remedy... On December 8 Judge Komitee signed an order to move Karony from Utah's Metro & Oxbow Jail to the EDNY "forthwith," order on Patreon here. Inner City Press will follow the case(s) *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.  Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com |
