Bail for Dubliner facing 108 years in US jail

A DUBLINER wanted in the US for an alleged hacking theft of $2million in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been granted bail by the High Court.

Conor Freeman, 20, was arrested at his home address in Glenageary Court, Dún Laoghaire, earlier this month on foot of a warrant issued by US authorities.

Mr Freeman’s surrender is being sought on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and four counts of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft. If convicted in America, Mr Freeman is facing up to 108 years in prison.

US authorities allege that members of an online group calling itself ‘The Community’ conspired to ‘hack numerous targets’ with the objective of stealing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, between February 2018 and May 2018. The others are US residents.

According to a warrant issued by the US Department of Justice, officals have identified four attacks in which Mr Freeman allegedly participated that resulted in the theft of cryptocurrency valued at $2,187,977.

Mr Freeman was granted bail by the High Court yesterday in his own bond of €5,000 and an independent surety of €15,000.

He is required to not apply for travel documents, not to use technology, including a smartphone, not to go online, not to contact his co-accused and continue co-operating with the authorities.

Mr Freeman is required to sign on daily at Dún Laoghaire Garda station.