Samourai Pockets co-founder Keonne Rodriguez is hoping to safe a presidential pardon that may spare him from an impending five-year jail sentence — however there are three individuals aside from Donald Trump he may must persuade.
Rodriguez was sentenced final month after pleading responsible in July to working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise. “I understand the seriousness of my crimes,” he admitted to the choose.
He’s since seen vital assist on-line, not least of all from 256 Basis co-founder and X consumer “econoalchemist” who has launched a petition and referred to as for donations to assist Rodriguez and his Samourai co-founder William Lonergan Hill.
The petition has up to now garnered greater than 7,200 signatures since its launch on November 11 and has been boosted by the likes of Bitcoin Journal and Wendy O.
Nonetheless, regardless of this widespread swell of assist, it stays to be seen whether or not or not 37-year-old Rodriguez and 67-year-old Hill will see their sentences quashed by the president.
This, terrifyingly, is as a result of Trump typically has no concept who he pardons.
He reiterated, “Here’s the thing, I know nothing about it, because I’m too busy.”
Three individuals who might advocate a Samourai Pockets pardon
Trump, like different US presidents, typically delegates his pardon analysis to 3rd events.
Three of his favourite individuals for outsourcing this work are US Legal professional Common Pam Bondi, BakerHostetler lawyer Teresa Goody Guillén, and Trump’s personal private pal Ches McDowell.
Bondi is probably the most influential of the three individuals attributable to her cupboard place. She can also be the highest official of the US Division of Justice which secured Rodriguez’s conviction as plaintiff.
In a press interview, Trump verbally directed Bondi to look into Rodriguez’s case after a reporter requested about the opportunity of a pardon for the Samourai Pockets developer.
One other particular person Rodriguez most likely must persuade is Goody Guillén.
She was instrumental in recommending a pardon for CZ, who employed her in February to work solely on his presidential pardon effort. That effort succeeded by October.
Goody Guillén has additionally represented Trump’s World Liberty Monetary crypto challenge.
Inmate file for Keonne Rodriguez as of December 16, 2025. Supply: US Bureau of Prisons
Lastly, a person with expertise recommending a pardon that Trump truly signed is McDowell, a rich lobbyist with few credentials apart from searching huge sport and having fun with a friendship with Trump.
Binance paid McDowell’s agency Checkmate Authorities Relations $450,000 through the third quarter of 2025 for work together with “executive relief.” CZ acquired his pardon throughout that engagement.
Rodriguez isn’t presently imprisoned, however he’s scheduled to start his sentence on Friday, December 19, 2025. His sentence is last and binding, and his solely hope of escaping jail is a pardon.
