According to Odaily, the United States Department of Justice announced that a man from Lancaster, Massachusetts, was found guilty on November 22, 2024, after a five-day jury trial. The conviction was related to his involvement in an unlicensed money transmission business, which facilitated the exchange of cash for Bitcoin for an individual allegedly engaged in the illegal sale of counterfeit goods. Alan Joseph, aged 36, was convicted on one count of operating an unlicensed money transmission business and three counts of money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman is scheduled to sentence Joseph on February 24, 2025.
Joseph's criminal activities came to light following his arrest in February 2021, which led to his indictment by a federal grand jury in March 2021. The investigation revealed that criminals relied on Joseph's money laundering operations to conceal their proceeds, thereby aiding criminal enterprises in evading detection, increasing profit margins, and avoiding tax obligations. Michael J. Krol, an agent with the New England Homeland Security Investigations, emphasized the role Joseph played in facilitating these illegal activities. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on financial crimes and the use of cryptocurrencies in illegal transactions.
