by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 23 – James Peraire-Bueno was indicted for "conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges in the Indictment arise from an alleged novel scheme by the defendants to exploit the very integrity of the Ethereum blockchain to fraudulently obtain approximately $25 million worth of cryptocurrency within approximately 12 seconds."
On May 15 James Peraire-Bueno was brought in detention before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court, thread:
OK - now in SDNY Mag court, the crypto AUSAs are here Defense lawyer has emerged from holding cell - he represented Trump Media insider trader Bruce Garelich earlier this month.
No "all rise" but judge is in. And now young-looking defendant...
JAMES PERAIRE-BUENO, on the consent of the US Attorney's Office, was ordered free on $250,000 bond secured by cash or real estate, two co-signers by May 29, no trading in securities or crypto, "no validation"
On May 23, Inner City Press was again the only media present for the arraignment of Anton, and status conference on both, before Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis (to whom Judge Clarke referred the proceeding, and a script). Thread:
Magistrate Judge Jennifer Willis: How does ANTON PERAIRE-BUENO pled? Defense lawyer: Not guilty. Assistant US Attorney: We have a package including no validating on the blockchain, no trading. No application for travel documents. GPS monitor, midnight to 6 am
AUSA: Defendant is permitted to travel from Massachusetts to SDNY for court. For that time, curfew is suspended. May not discuss his case with his co-counsel [at defense table with him now]. No guns. [Both defendants are wearing suits]
Anton's lawyer: In Boston they use RF not GPS to monitor. Also, both defendants' parents are here in the courtroom [next to them, lawyer who recently represented Trump Media insider trader Bruce Garelick at trial].
Judge: Anton's personal recognizance bond is $250,000, co-signed by two financially responsible people. Anton's lawyer: The parents' house is worth more than that.
AUSA: This is a sophisticated scheme involving stealing $25 million in cryptocurrency. We have a protective order we'll submitted to Judge Clarke. The discovery will consist of warrant affidavits, and material from the arrests. There are Google Drive accounts
AUSA: On the date of the arrest we seized a substantial number of devices. We have accessed only three, 19 we have been unable to. Status conference before Judge Clarke. Judge Willis: When could you complete discovery? AUSA: For the 3 devices, 3 or 4 weeks.
Judge Willis: I received a script from Judge Clarke, to pin your down on discovery and motion dates, but I appreciate the situation. Be ready when you go before Judge Clarke. Adjourned
The case is US v. Peraire-Bueno, et al., 24-cr-293 (Clarke / Figueredo)
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