Following the revocation of his bail, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, was transported to a detention facility in New York. His new residence, Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn, is a stark contrast to his previous abode on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California. Accusations of witness tampering have led to his detention, and the crypto prodigy now faces a plethora of criminal charges such as fraud in relation to the FTX collapse last November.
Bankman-Fried Joins the Ranks of MDC Brooklyn’s Inmates
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator, Bankman-Fried has joined the ranks of approximately 1,600 individuals incarcerated at MDC Brooklyn. The facility has previously hosted other high-profile inmates, including convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Interestingly, Bankman-Fried’s current attorney, Mark S. Cohen, previously represented Maxwell.
Bankman-Fried’s situation is reminiscent of Martin Shkreli, also known as “Pharma Bro”, who was held at MDC Brooklyn before his 2018 conviction for a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Shkreli recently commented on Bankman-Fried’s predicament on Twitter, stating that MDC Brooklyn “sucks for Sam” and suggesting that the former crypto mogul might not see freedom again for 15 to 30 years.
Living Conditions at MDC Brooklyn
Living conditions at MDC Brooklyn have been described as “unacceptable and inhumane” by New York Attorney General Leticia James. This description was given in 2019 when she filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons over a power outage that left prisoners freezing cold.
However, there is a possibility that Bankman-Fried could be transferred to another facility before his trial in October. Federal prosecutors suggested that he could be held at a Putnam County Correctional Facility, a medium-level security facility in upstate New York, before his bail was revoked.
Bankman-Fried’s Previous Detention and Future Prospects
Prior to his extradition to the U.S., Bankman-Fried was detained at the Bahamas’ Fox Hill prison, known for its harsh conditions. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. State Department, most cells at this prison lacked mattresses and toilets, and many were infested with a mix of rats, maggots, and insects.
Compared to these conditions, the home of Bankman-Fried’s parents—where he resided after his arraignment—must have seemed like paradise. His counsel made requests for him to have access to media streaming services and news websites like CoinDesk and Decrypt, possibly to keep up with the crypto world. However, the current situation is likely to be quite different for Bankman-Fried.
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