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{"actor":"system:backfill","investigation_id":"f1fb8895-cb0c-4b69-8659-eb1ab81c5a6a","kind":"publish","page_slug":"rodney-burton-bitcoin-rodney","published_at":"2026-06-18T17:12:07.972Z","sequence_num":1,"snapshot":{"content_type":"investigation","entity_name":"Rodney Burton (Bitcoin Rodney)","sections":[{"content":"On June 15, 2026, Rodney Burton pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett. Burton had previously faced a broader superseding indictment that included conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, seven counts of money laundering, and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, which collectively exposed him to decades of potential prison time. The guilty plea resolves only the single unlicensed money transmitting conspiracy count. Burton's co-defendant Brenda Chunga, another HyperFund promoter, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud; her sentencing has been continued multiple times and was rescheduled to January 7, 2027. HyperFund co-founder Xue 'Sam' Lee, an Australian citizen residing in Dubai, was indicted in January 2024 but had not entered a plea as of June 2026.","heading":"Criminal Charges and Guilty Plea","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Criminal Division — HyperFund and Associated Cases","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/criminal/case/hyperfund-and-associated-cases"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt — Florida Man 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pleads Guilty Over $1.8 Billion HyperFund Crypto Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/371420/florida-man-bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-1-8-billion-crypto-fraud"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation — Miami Man Indicted on Federal Wire Fraud Conspiracy Charges","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/miami-man-indicted-on-federal-wire-fraud-conspiracy-charges"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Block — Bitcoin Rodney Faces Decades in Prison as Feds Add Wire Fraud to HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/382450/bitcoin-rodney-faces-decades-in-prison-as-feds-add-wire-fraud-to-hyperfund-charges"}]},{"content":"HyperFund, which also operated under the names HyperVerse, HyperTech, HyperCapital, and HyperNation, marketed membership packages to retail investors between June 2020 and at least early 2022, promising daily passive returns of 0.5% to 1% until participants doubled or tripled their initial investment. Promotional materials falsely claimed that these returns were generated by large-scale cryptocurrency mining operations. According to federal prosecutors and SEC allegations, no such mining operations existed, and the platform operated as a Ponzi scheme, using new investor deposits to pay earlier participants. Beginning in at least July 2021, HyperFund blocked investor withdrawals. The DOJ charged that the scheme collected approximately $1.89 billion from investors worldwide, including residents of Maryland and at least 26 other U.S. states, one U.S. territory, and Canada. The SEC filed a parallel civil enforcement action against co-founder Sam Lee and promoter Brenda Chunga in January 2024, alleging the scheme constituted a fraudulent crypto pyramid scheme.","heading":"The HyperFund Scheme","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ — Three Individuals Charged for Roles in $1.89B Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/three-individuals-charged-roles-189b-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme"},{"credibility":1,"name":"CNBC — DOJ and SEC Unveil Charges in $1.9 Billion HyperFund Cryptocurrency Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/doj-and-sec-unveil-charges-in-1point9-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme.html"},{"credibility":1,"name":"SEC — SEC Charges Founder of $1.7 Billion HyperFund Crypto Pyramid Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-11"}]},{"content":"Prosecutors allege that between June 2020 and January 2022, Burton controlled several consulting entities — including Burton Holdings Co. LLC, RBJ Consulting Inc., and Bit Group LLC — that functioned as unlicensed money transmitters, channeling investor funds through the fraudulent operation. Burton personally received at least $7,851,711 in proceeds from HyperFund activity, including funds traceable to Maryland-based investors. Prosecutors allege he used investor proceeds to acquire luxury condominiums, sports cars, and a yacht. Burton's role as a promoter relied heavily on his social media following and public persona as a successful crypto investor.","heading":"Burton's Role and Personal Proceeds","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — Rodney Burton Arrested in Florida on HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Crypto Times — Bitcoin Rodney Pleads Guilty in $1.8B HyperFund Crypto Fraud Case","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/06/17/bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-in-1-8b-hyperfund-crypto-fraud-case/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation — Miami Man Indicted on Federal Wire Fraud Conspiracy Charges","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/miami-man-indicted-on-federal-wire-fraud-conspiracy-charges"}]},{"content":"Burton leveraged relationships with prominent celebrities to lend perceived legitimacy to HyperFund and recruit retail investors. A 2021 Miami event billed as a 'Reinvent Yourself With Crypto' conference featured appearances by singer Akon, FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor Daymond John, actor and comedian Jamie Foxx, rapper Rick Ross, actor Tiffany Haddish, and convicted securities fraudster Jordan Belfort (the 'Wolf of Wall Street'). According to Rolling Stone, Burton cultivated a public persona alongside these celebrities on social media. None of the celebrity attendees have been charged in connection with HyperFund, and there is no public evidence that Foxx, Ross, John, Akon, or Haddish had knowledge of the alleged fraud. Prosecutors highlighted the celebrity appearances as a mechanism used to lure retail investors. Burton was a self-described friend of Jamie Foxx and Rick Ross, appearances that amplified his credibility with potential investors.","heading":"Celebrity Appearances and Social Media Recruitment","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"Rolling Stone — 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pushed Crypto With Jamie Foxx and Rick Ross. Now He's Under Arrest","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bitcoin-rodney-arrested-crypto-1234942231/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt — Florida Man 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pleads Guilty Over $1.8 Billion HyperFund Crypto Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/371420/florida-man-bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-1-8-billion-crypto-fraud"},{"credibility":3,"name":"FX Leaders — Guilty Plea for 'Bitcoin Rodney' — Jamie Foxx's Friend Involved in $1.8 Billion Crypto Scam","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2026/06/17/guilty-plea-for-bitcoin-rodney-jamie-foxxs-friend-involved-in-1-8-billion-crypto-scam/"}]},{"content":"Burton was arrested on January 4, 2024, at Miami International Airport. At the time of arrest he was allegedly carrying a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates. A federal judge denied bail, finding Burton to be an extreme flight risk. Pretrial detention was upheld on appeal. Prosecutors cited his one-way travel plans toward a jurisdiction with limited U.S. extradition history, his prior criminal record, and the serious nature of the charges as grounds for continued detention without bail. Burton remained in custody through his guilty plea on June 15, 2026.","heading":"Arrest, Flight Risk, and Pretrial Detention","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"BlockTribune — Pretrial Detention Upheld for HyperFund Promoter Rodney Burton","type":"news_article","url":"https://blocktribune.com/pretrial-detention-upheld-for-hyperfund-promoter-rodney-burton-in-cryptocurrency-fraud-case/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Bitcoin.com News — Judge Denies Bail for Bitcoin Rodney, Citing Flight Risk and Fraud Severity","type":"news_article","url":"https://news.bitcoin.com/judge-denies-bail-for-bitcoin-rodney-citing-flight-risk-and-fraud-severity/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — Rodney Burton Arrested in Florida on HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"}]},{"content":"Burton has a documented prior federal criminal conviction for conspiring to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, for which he served approximately five years in federal prison, released on August 4, 2010. The court noted that during his supervision period in that case he violated conditions of release by absconding from home and was arrested for assault in a different jurisdiction. This prior record was cited as a factor in the court's decision to deny bail in the HyperFund case. Additionally, community researchers and MLM-tracking outlets documented Burton as a promoter of multiple earlier alleged crypto and investment frauds prior to HyperFund, including uFun Club (2015), USI-Tech (2017-2018), EyeLine Trading (2018), and ZeekRewards (2012). None of these prior scheme involvements resulted in criminal charges against Burton, and they are reported by lower-credibility sources; they are noted here as contextual pattern evidence.","heading":"Prior Criminal History","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"BlockTribune — Pretrial Detention Upheld for HyperFund Promoter Rodney Burton","type":"news_article","url":"https://blocktribune.com/pretrial-detention-upheld-for-hyperfund-promoter-rodney-burton-in-cryptocurrency-fraud-case/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — Rodney Burton Arrested in Florida on HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — DOJ Challenges Rodney Burton's 'Crime is Legal' Release Filing","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/doj-challenges-rodney-burtons-crime-is-legal-release-filing/"}]},{"content":"According to BehindMLM, a site that tracks multi-level marketing schemes, Burton's pattern of promoting alleged crypto investment frauds spans more than a decade before HyperFund. He was identified as a promoter of uFun Club in 2015, a Thai-based scheme subsequently shut down by authorities. In 2017-2018 he promoted USI-Tech, an automated forex and crypto Ponzi scheme that attracted FBI scrutiny. He followed this with EyeLine Trading in 2018, a scheme run by Dan Putnam, and was noted as a 'net winner' in ZeekRewards, a $600 million Ponzi shut down by the SEC in 2012. None of these pre-HyperFund involvements are reflected in federal criminal charges. These reports come from Tier 2-3 sources and should be treated as low-to-medium confidence pattern evidence rather than proven misconduct. Engadget reported in 2019 on the USI-Tech and EyeLine Trading schemes, noting Burton as a prominent promoter. During his USI-Tech period, Burton was reported to have purchased a $350,000 Lamborghini using Bitcoin.","heading":"Pattern of MLM Crypto Scheme Promotion","severity":"medium","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — Rodney Burton Arrested in Florida on HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Engadget — The Bitcoin Ponzi Scam That Won't Go Away","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.engadget.com/2019-05-23-bitcoin-ponzi-usi-tech-eyeling-trading-wealthboss.html"}]},{"content":"The HyperFund case involves three principal defendants. Xue 'Sam' Lee, 35, an Australian national residing in Dubai, UAE, is alleged to be a co-founder of HyperFund and was indicted in January 2024 on one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud. Lee had not entered a plea as of June 2026. Brenda Chunga, 43, of Severna Park, Maryland, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2024, to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud in connection with her role as a HyperFund promoter; her sentencing was continued to January 7, 2027. The SEC filed parallel civil charges against Sam Lee and Brenda Chunga. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland and investigated with the assistance of IRS Criminal Investigation.","heading":"Co-Defendants and Broader Case","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ — Three Individuals Charged for Roles in $1.89B Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/three-individuals-charged-roles-189b-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme"},{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Criminal Division — HyperFund and Associated Cases","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/criminal/case/hyperfund-and-associated-cases"},{"credibility":1,"name":"CNBC — DOJ and SEC Unveil Charges in $1.9 Billion HyperFund Cryptocurrency Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/doj-and-sec-unveil-charges-in-1point9-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme.html"}]}],"sources_used":[{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Criminal Division — HyperFund and Associated Cases","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/criminal/case/hyperfund-and-associated-cases"},{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ Office of Public Affairs — Three Individuals Charged for Roles in $1.89B Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/three-individuals-charged-roles-189b-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme"},{"credibility":1,"name":"DOJ District of Maryland — Three Individuals Charged In $1.89 Billion Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/three-individuals-charged-189-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme"},{"credibility":1,"name":"SEC — SEC Charges Founder of $1.7 Billion HyperFund Crypto Pyramid Scheme","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-11"},{"credibility":1,"name":"IRS Criminal Investigation — Miami Man Indicted on Federal Wire Fraud Conspiracy Charges","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/miami-man-indicted-on-federal-wire-fraud-conspiracy-charges"},{"credibility":1,"name":"CNBC — DOJ and SEC Unveil Charges in $1.9 Billion HyperFund Cryptocurrency Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/doj-and-sec-unveil-charges-in-1point9-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme.html"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Rolling Stone — 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pushed Crypto With Jamie Foxx and Rick Ross. Now He's Under Arrest","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bitcoin-rodney-arrested-crypto-1234942231/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Block — Bitcoin Rodney Faces Decades in Prison as Feds Add Wire Fraud to HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/382450/bitcoin-rodney-faces-decades-in-prison-as-feds-add-wire-fraud-to-hyperfund-charges"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The Block — Bitcoin Rodney Pleads Guilty in $1.8 Billion Crypto Fraud Case","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/405197/bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-in-1-8-billion-crypto-fraud-case"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Decrypt — Florida Man 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pleads Guilty Over $1.8 Billion HyperFund Crypto Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://decrypt.co/371420/florida-man-bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-1-8-billion-crypto-fraud"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Crypto Briefing — Florida man pleads guilty in $1.89B HyperFund crypto fraud case","type":"news_article","url":"https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-rodney-hyperfund-crypto-fraud-guilty-plea/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Crypto Times — Bitcoin Rodney Pleads Guilty in $1.8B HyperFund Crypto Fraud Case","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/06/17/bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-in-1-8b-hyperfund-crypto-fraud-case/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Bitcoin.com News — HyperFund Promoter 'Bitcoin Rodney' Pleads Guilty in $1.8 Billion Crypto Scam","type":"news_article","url":"https://news.bitcoin.com/hyperfund-promoter-bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-in-1-8-billion-crypto-scam/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Bitcoin.com News — Judge Denies Bail for Bitcoin Rodney, Citing Flight Risk and Fraud Severity","type":"news_article","url":"https://news.bitcoin.com/judge-denies-bail-for-bitcoin-rodney-citing-flight-risk-and-fraud-severity/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — Rodney Burton Arrested in Florida on HyperFund Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BehindMLM — DOJ Challenges Rodney Burton's 'Crime is Legal' Release Filing","type":"news_article","url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/doj-challenges-rodney-burtons-crime-is-legal-release-filing/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"BlockTribune — Pretrial Detention Upheld for HyperFund Promoter Rodney Burton","type":"news_article","url":"https://blocktribune.com/pretrial-detention-upheld-for-hyperfund-promoter-rodney-burton-in-cryptocurrency-fraud-case/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Cryptopolitan — Bitcoin Rodney Hit With Expanded Charges in $1.8B HyperFund Crypto Scam","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.cryptopolitan.com/bitcoin-rodney-hit-with-expanded-charges/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Engadget — The Bitcoin Ponzi Scam That Won't Go Away","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.engadget.com/2019-05-23-bitcoin-ponzi-usi-tech-eyeling-trading-wealthboss.html"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Fox Baltimore — 'Bitcoin Rodney' Indicted on Federal Wire Fraud Conspiracy Charges","type":"news_article","url":"https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/bitcoin-rodney-indicted-federal-wire-fraud-conspiracy-charges-crime"},{"credibility":2,"name":"beincrypto — Bitcoin Rodney Pleads Guilty in Connection With $1.8 Billion HyperFund Fraud","type":"news_article","url":"https://beincrypto.com/bitcoin-rodney-hyperfund-crypto-fraud-guilty/"}],"summary":"Rodney Burton, a 56-year-old Miami-based crypto promoter operating under the alias 'Bitcoin Rodney,' pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026, to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with the HyperFund Ponzi scheme, which federal prosecutors allege collected approximately $1.89 billion from investors worldwide between 2020 and 2022. Burton personally received at least $7.85 million in fraudulent proceeds and leveraged appearances by high-profile celebrities to recruit retail investors. He was arrested in January 2024 at Miami International Airport carrying a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates and has been held without bail pending sentencing on July 23, 2026.","timeline":[{"date":"2012-01-01","event":"Burton alleged to have participated as a 'net winner' in ZeekRewards, a $600 million Ponzi scheme later shut down by the SEC.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"date":"2010-08-04","event":"Burton released from federal prison after serving approximately five years for conspiracy to distribute cocaine (21 U.S.C. § 846).","source":"BlockTribune","source_url":"https://blocktribune.com/pretrial-detention-upheld-for-hyperfund-promoter-rodney-burton-in-cryptocurrency-fraud-case/"},{"date":"2015-01-01","event":"Burton identified as a promoter of uFun Club, a Thailand-based MLM crypto scheme.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"date":"2017-01-01","event":"Burton promoted USI-Tech, an automated forex and cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that later attracted FBI scrutiny.","source":"Engadget","source_url":"https://www.engadget.com/2019-05-23-bitcoin-ponzi-usi-tech-eyeling-trading-wealthboss.html"},{"date":"2018-01-01","event":"Burton promoted EyeLine Trading, another alleged crypto Ponzi scheme.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"date":"2020-06-01","event":"HyperFund begins operations; Burton begins promoting the scheme to investors, according to federal prosecutors.","source":"DOJ","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/criminal/case/hyperfund-and-associated-cases"},{"date":"2021-01-01","event":"Burton hosts 'Reinvent Yourself With Crypto' conference in Miami featuring Akon, Daymond John, Jordan Belfort, and Tiffany Haddish.","source":"Rolling Stone","source_url":"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bitcoin-rodney-arrested-crypto-1234942231/"},{"date":"2021-07-01","event":"HyperFund begins blocking investor withdrawals, according to federal prosecutors.","source":"DOJ — District of Maryland","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/three-individuals-charged-189-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme"},{"date":"2022-01-01","event":"HyperFund scheme winds down; Burton's promotional activity for the scheme ends around this period per prosecutors.","source":"Crypto Briefing","source_url":"https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-rodney-hyperfund-crypto-fraud-guilty-plea/"},{"date":"2024-01-04","event":"Burton arrested at Miami International Airport carrying a one-way ticket to the United Arab Emirates.","source":"BehindMLM","source_url":"https://behindmlm.com/companies/hyperfund/rodney-burton-arrested-in-florida-on-hyperfund-charges/"},{"date":"2024-01-29","event":"DOJ unseals charges against Sam Lee (indictment) and Brenda Chunga (guilty plea) in the HyperFund case; SEC files parallel civil action. Burton faces criminal complaint charging unlicensed money transmitting.","source":"DOJ / CNBC","source_url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/doj-and-sec-unveil-charges-in-1point9-billion-cryptocurrency-fraud-scheme.html"},{"date":"2024-01-01","event":"Federal judge denies bail for Burton, labeling him an extreme flight risk; pretrial detention upheld on appeal.","source":"Bitcoin.com News","source_url":"https://news.bitcoin.com/judge-denies-bail-for-bitcoin-rodney-citing-flight-risk-and-fraud-severity/"},{"date":"2025-01-01","event":"Superseding indictment filed against Burton adding conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two wire fraud counts, and seven money laundering counts to original charges.","source":"The Block / IRS Criminal Investigation","source_url":"https://www.theblock.co/post/382450/bitcoin-rodney-faces-decades-in-prison-as-feds-add-wire-fraud-to-hyperfund-charges"},{"date":"2026-06-15","event":"Burton pleads guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business before U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett in Maryland.","source":"DOJ Criminal Division","source_url":"https://www.justice.gov/criminal/case/hyperfund-and-associated-cases"},{"date":"2026-07-23","event":"Sentencing hearing scheduled before U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett; Burton faces up to five years in federal prison.","source":"Decrypt","source_url":"https://decrypt.co/371420/florida-man-bitcoin-rodney-pleads-guilty-1-8-billion-crypto-fraud"}]},"v":1}