Samourai Developer Keonne Rodriguez Held in 30-Day BOP Transit Nightmare, Letter Details Trauma

30-Day Federal Transit Ordeal

Samourai Wallet developer Keonne Rodriguez detailed a harrowing 30-day journey through the Bureau of Prisons' custody system in Letter #7, published by Bitcoin Magazine. The account begins on June 5th, when Rodriguez was transferred from FPC Morgantown to FCI McKean, a process that should have taken four hours but stretched into a month-long ordeal.

Transfer Furlough Denied

Rodriguez initially sought a transfer furlough, which would have allowed him to transport himself to FCI McKean at his own expense. His request was denied on June 8th without explanation, forcing him into the standard transit process. On June 10th, he was stripped, shackled, and placed in a holding cell with six other inmates being transferred from Morgantown.

Overcrowded Conditions and Delays

The transit involved multiple flights, bus rides, and extended delays. Rodriguez described being locked in a holding cell for 23 hours a day, sharing space with inmates of varying security levels, including those serving murder sentences. A 20-minute bus stop turned into over an hour as officers made individual breakfast stops, highlighting logistical inefficiencies.

Petition for Release

The letter concludes with a call to action, urging readers to sign a petition for Rodriguez's release and that of co-developer William Hill. Rodriguez emphasized that every signature matters in their legal battle.

Trauma and Adaptation

Rodriguez described the transit as "the absolute worst 30 days of my life" and noted he is still adapting to life at FCI McKean. He plans to share more details in a follow-up letter, focusing on the conditions at his new facility.

Source: Bitcoin Magazine