Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, was moved from the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn to the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, was moved from the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn to the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City after conducting an unsanctioned interview with political commentator Tucker Carlson. This interview, held remotely on March 5, was not authorized by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), leading to Bankman-Fried being placed in solitary confinement. The interview was a rare public appearance for Bankman-Fried, who had been largely silent since his conviction in 2023 on seven felony charges.
The transfer to FTC Oklahoma City took place shortly after the interview and has drawn attention because it came despite a federal judge’s recommendation that Bankman-Fried remain in the New York area to assist in his appeals process. Bankman-Fried, sentenced to 25 years in prison, is scheduled for release in November 2044, although his sentence could be reduced based on his behavior while incarcerated. This move to Oklahoma City appears to be part of the process of transitioning him to a permanent federal prison where he will serve the remainder of his sentence.
Bankman-Fried's interview with Carlson was broadcast the day before his 33rd birthday and included his claims of innocence. He stated, “I don’t think I was a criminal,” and suggested that FTX, despite its collapse, was solvent at the time. He also criticized the charges against former FTX Digital Markets co-CEO Ryan Salame, calling them "totally bogus" and implying political motivations behind them. The interview with Carlson caused controversy, and the BOP confirmed that it had not been approved, leading to the resignation of Bankman-Fried's crisis manager, Mark Botnick.
Bankman-Fried had faced several changes in his detention since his conviction, including the revocation of his bail in August 2023 due to allegations that he attempted to influence witnesses. His legal team, meanwhile, has suggested that his outreach to conservative media outlets, including Carlson and The New York Sun, is an attempt to garner support from right-wing figures, possibly in the hopes of securing a presidential pardon. Although reports suggest that President Donald Trump might be a target for such appeals, Trump has not made any public statements regarding the possibility of a pardon for Bankman-Fried.
The Oklahoma City FTC serves as a temporary holding facility for federal prisoners before they are transferred to permanent institutions. Bankman-Fried was previously transferred to the Oklahoma facility in May 2024 before being returned to Brooklyn. His current legal battle, including the appeal of his conviction, is ongoing, and his future in the U.S. prison system remains uncertain.
This recent move highlights both the ongoing legal battles for Bankman-Fried and the fallout from his controversial public interview.
This article contains links to third-party websites or other content for information purposes only (“Third-Party Sites”). The Third-Party Sites are not under the control of CoinMarketCap, and CoinMarketCap is not responsible for the content of any Third-Party Site, including without limitation any link contained in a Third-Party Site, or any changes or updates to a Third-Party Site. CoinMarketCap is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by CoinMarketCap of the site or any association with its operators.
This article is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. It is important to do your own research and analysis before making any material decisions related to any of the products or services described. This article is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, financial advice.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s [company’s] own and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinMarketCap.
