AlphaBay: 11 years in prison for the moderator

More than three years after its closure, we return to talk about AlphaBay, an illegal marketplace active some time ago on the Dark Web frequented by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. Its activity was interrupted in July 2017 thanks to an operation conducted in partnership by the FBI, Europol and other international agencies. Today's news concerns the sentence handed down against Bryan Connor Herrell, a 26-year-old from Colorado believed to be the moderator of the platform.

AlphaBay: Bryan Connor Herrell ends up in jail

His role was that of peacemaker: according to the documents of the US Department of Justice, he would have dealt with mediating over 20,000 disputes between sellers and buyers, also keeping the regularity of the advertisements under control (while considering the illegal nature of the items) and monitoring fraud attempts among patrons. The US authorities believe he was paid in Bitcoin for his work.

Two pseudonyms used: Penissmith and Botah, however not sufficient to guarantee his anonymity. Attorney McGregor Scott's comment on a press release.

The ruling constitutes proof that criminals cannot hide behind the technology to break the law. Operating behind the veil of the Dark Web might suggest shelter from crime investigations, but people should think twice before ordering or selling drugs online - you'll get caught. This office will continue to use all possible methods to stop crimes on the Dark Web, especially those involving fentanyl, opioids and other dangerous substances.