Ronald Craig Ilg — 56, of Spokane, Washington — has been sentenced to 96 months in federal jail for paying over $60,000 Bitcoin (BTC) to darkish internet hitmen.

Ilg paid the hitmen who tried to kidnap and assault a number of victims — together with his ex-wife — by way of an internet scheme wherein he solicited the help of recognized hitmen.

Neonatologist turned felony

Starting in early 2021, courtroom information discovered that Ilg — who had been working as a neonatologist — transmitted dozens of messages beneath the alias “Scar215” and despatched greater than $60,000  BTC to advance his nefarious plot. 

Throughout this time, Ilg directed the purported hitmen to assault one other Spokane-area physician — specifying that the sufferer:

“Needs to be given a major beating that’s apparent. It ought to injure each fingers considerably or break the fingers.”

This preliminary plan led to Ilg paying greater than $2,000 in BTC, after which he offered the hitmen with a hyperlink to the sufferer’s image, their deal with and different private particulars that may help within the crime, courtroom information present. 

In a collection of follow-up messages, Ilg added, “I wish to see proof that it occurred. If this goes properly, I’ve one other, extra sophisticated job” for a “completely different goal with solely completely different aims.”

U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of Washington, Vanessa R. Waldref stated:

“This case demonstrates how violent offenders exploit our on-line world and cryptocurrency to additional their felony agendas.”

Bitcoin and the darkish internet

It’s actually not the primary time BTC has been utilized in an try and fund unlawful actions. Late final 12 months, the DOJ issued one other press assertion saying that they had seized a historic $3.36 billion price of cryptocurrency regarding the Silk Highway darkish internet portal — belonging to James Zhong. 

Moreover, Silk Highway’s founder — 38-year-old Ross William Ulbricht — is at the moment serving a life sentence with out the potential for parole for his position in working the hidden service on the Tor community. This included facilitating the sale of narcotics and different unlawful services —together with an alleged plot to rent hitmen utilizing cryptocurrency beneath the alias ‘Dread Pirate Roberts.’