U.S. Court Sentences Crypto CEO to 7 Years in Prison

The United States court has sentenced Rowland Marcus Andrade, CEO of AML Bitcoin, to seven years in prison for fraud.

Chief Judge Richard Seeborg handed down the 84-month sentence on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in California.

According to court documents, Andrade misled investors and stole over $2 million to fund a lavish lifestyle.

He used the stolen funds to buy luxury cars and real estate, completely betraying investor trust in the process.

Moreover, the US Attorney’s Office revealed Andrade lied about AML Bitcoin’s viability and fake partnerships with major organizations.

For instance, he falsely claimed that the Panama Canal Authority approved AML Bitcoin for maritime use, which was untrue.

At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Andrade raised $10 million through misleading claims about the technology and release date.

Furthermore, Andrade laundered investor funds through multiple accounts to hide his illegal spending from authorities and victims alike.

He spent the stolen money on two Texas properties and two expensive vehicles, further enriching himself at others’ expense.

“He tricked hardworking people into believing they were backing the future of cryptocurrency,” said US Attorney Craig Missakian.

“Instead, he used their money to enrich himself and live in luxury,” he added during the sentencing statement.

Meanwhile, the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation led the probe that built a strong case against Andrade.

FBI Agent Sanjay Virmani noted the outcome proves that fraudsters will face justice even in digital finance sectors.

“Today’s sentence sends a message: we will protect the public from crypto scams,” Virmani firmly stated.

Additionally, IRS Special Agent Linda Nguyen said they “followed the money” and exposed Andrade’s deception with clear evidence.

She also warned future fraudsters that white-collar crime carries serious consequences and long-term punishment.

Besides the prison sentence, the court ordered Andrade to serve three years of supervised release after his jail term.

Furthermore, Judge Seeborg scheduled a forfeiture and restitution hearing for September 16, 2025.

During the hearing, the court will decide how much money Andrade must repay to his victims.

Lastly, Andrade must report to prison by October 31, 2025, to begin serving his sentence.

Assistant US Attorneys and an IRS trial attorney prosecuted the case, with strong support from FBI and IRS agents.

Overall, the case stands out as a major example of crypto-related fraud and investor deception in the United States.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook