Avraham “Avi” Eisenberg, a figure known in the crypto world for his involvement in a $110 million exploit of Mango Markets, has been sentenced to 52 months in prison. However, this sentence isn’t related to the crypto fraud case, but rather to a separate charge of possessing child sexual abuse material.
Separate Charges, Separate Consequences
Eisenberg was found guilty in 2023 of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and market manipulation related to the Mango Markets attack. Still, the recent sentencing focuses solely on the child pornography charge. The judge, Arun Subramanian, made it clear that the punishment aims to deter the distribution of such material, stating, “The only way to try to stop the distribution of this kind of material is through a prison sentence.”
Details of the Child Pornography Charge
The prosecution detailed that Eisenberg downloaded 1,274 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse between 2017 and 2022. Some of these materials featured victims as young as two months old and included representations of sadistic violence and masochistic practices, which aggravated the prosecution’s recommendation.
- The defense argued that Eisenberg’s actions were a result of his strict religious upbringing and difficulty adapting to social norms.
- They portrayed him as a “decent person” who had suffered in jail and deserved leniency.
- The judge, however, maintained that the crime’s impact required a firm and exemplary punishment.
Cryptocurrency Fraud Charges Pending
While the recent sentence addresses the child pornography charge, the crypto fraud case remains unresolved. Eisenberg’s defense team has requested a new trial or even acquittal on the crypto charges, citing jurisdictional errors and the failure to prove that the MNGO token legally qualifies as a “swap.” They also questioned whether Eisenberg’s actions were genuinely aimed at market manipulation.
A jury had already found Eisenberg guilty in 2023, concluding that his attack on Mango Markets was intentional. The prosecution argued that Eisenberg was aware of his actions and had previously reported others for market manipulation, demonstrating his understanding of the crime.
Eisenberg will serve his 52-month sentence at FCI Otisville, a medium-security federal prison. Upon release, he’ll face five years of supervised release with strict conditions, including electronic device monitoring software and outpatient substance abuse treatment.