Federal prosecutors in Illinois have brought charges against two men for running the darknet marketplace Empire Market. The court documents filed on Friday revealed that Thomas Pavey, 38, from Florida, and Raheim Hamilton, 28, from Virginia, were behind the operation of Empire Market from 2018 to 2020. During this time, the marketplace processed a staggering $430 million in transactions, allowing users to buy illegal goods and services anonymously.
The Department of Justice’s press release on Thursday stated that Empire Market facilitated the sale of drugs and stolen credit card information, with all transactions conducted using cryptocurrency. The marketplace ceased its operations in August 2020.
Pavey and Hamilton were already in custody for previous charges related to selling counterfeit currency on another darknet market called AlphaBay, which was shut down in 2017. The new charges against them include conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, computer fraud, access device fraud, counterfeiting, and money laundering. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to the DOJ.
During the investigation, law enforcement authorities were able to seize $75 million in cryptocurrency, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash and precious metals. Despite the charges, arraignments for Pavey and Hamilton have not been scheduled yet.
The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating illegal activities on the dark web. The use of cryptocurrency for transactions adds another layer of complexity to these investigations, as it allows for greater anonymity and difficulty in tracing financial flows.
It is crucial for authorities to continue their efforts in monitoring and shutting down such illicit marketplaces to prevent the sale of illegal goods and services. The collaboration between different law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels is essential in effectively tackling these sophisticated criminal operations.
The case of Empire Market serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cybercrime and the importance of staying vigilant in the face of evolving digital threats. As technology continues to advance, law enforcement must adapt and strengthen their capabilities to keep pace with the changing landscape of criminal activities on the dark web.