Sam Bankman-Fried Sent to Los Angeles Prison
Struggling FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was transferred to the low-security Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island in Los Angeles on April 18. The notorious prison, which has had infamous inmates such as Al Capone and Charles Manson, now contains the 32-year-old former crypto billionaire as he begins serving a 25-year fraud sentence.
According to Federal Bureau of Prisons records, Bankman-Fried’s new home has also hosted former Theranos COO Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani. His relocation to Terminal Island follows a brief stint at FCI Victorville, a medium-security prison in San Bernardino County, which has been described by insiders as “violent” and “political.”
From Oklahoma to California: SBF’s Prison Journey
Before he arrived in Los Angeles, Bankman-Fried transferred through the Federal Transfer Facility in Oklahoma City. The series of transfers brings him back to his home state, where he will serve most of his 25-year sentence.
Bankman-Fried’s move comes on the heels of giving a high-profile jailhouse interview with media figure Tucker Carlson. The interview made headlines for displaying an early draft Google Doc in which SBF outlined unconventional methods for rehabilitating his public reputation—spelling out the name “Tucker Carlson” incorrectly and urging him to come out against the “woke agenda” publicly.
Speculation Rises Over Potential Trump Pardon Strategy
Legal experts estimate that Bankman-Fried’s recent high-profile shift to right-wing talking points might be a strategic attempt to set himself up for a potential pardon—in the event of a return to office by Donald Trump. Some commentators interpret the move as an attempt to rewrite the narrative about the FTX meltdown and his conviction.
$11 Billion Restitution and 25-Year Sentence
In a November 2023 verdict, Bankman-Fried was convicted by a jury on multiple counts of fraud following FTX’s catastrophic collapse. During his March 2024 sentencing, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan remarked, “He knew it was wrong… he’s not going to admit a thing.”
As part of his prison term, Bankman-Fried is also required to pay $11 billion in restitution—a staggering figure that reflects the depth of FTX’s fraud.
