Free Joby

Joby Weeks, accused of a $3/4 billion cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme through Bit Club Network, shares his background as an entrepreneur. From mowing lawns to becoming a millionaire by 19, he traveled extensively, financing disruptive technologies. He explains his understanding of Bitcoin as a decentralized currency similar to BitTorrent, and his decision to join Bit Club Network, which sold Bitcoin mining hardware, aiming to build large-scale mining data centers.

Joby describes how he became a target for hackers and thieves, leading him to track a hacker's Bitcoin to a wallet worth over a billion dollars and report it to the FBI. Instead, the FBI put him under investigation. After voluntarily meeting with agents to explain Bit Club's operations, his data centers were raided. He was later ambushed and interrogated for six hours, with agents attempting to seize his Bitcoin, which he refused.

Joby Weeks was indicted for selling unregistered securities and wire fraud. He argues that he was selling physical computer equipment, not securities, and that Bit Club was a legitimate Bitcoin mining operation, not a Ponzi scheme. He presents evidence of actual mining operations, invoices, and power bills, claiming the government seized all assets, harming members who were being paid daily. He highlights that he was a vendor and member, joining 16 months after Bit Club started, and was the only vendor targeted by the government.

Weeks details being bounced between jails for 11 months without his family knowing his whereabouts, denied bail and a trial. He argues that Bit Club was a legitimate startup in a new industry, boasting a billion dollars in sales faster than Amazon and Google. He believes he was targeted as an 'easy fall guy' for the government to scare those involved in decentralized finance. His attorneys presented him with a choice: five years in jail if innocent or one year if he pleaded guilty. To be with his newborn, he pleaded guilty with the intention to reverse it later, which he did to seek a trial. For six years, he has been under house arrest with an ankle bracelet, enduring constant beeping and isolation, unable to work or see family, while the government repeatedly postpones his trial, despite admitting in a pretrial report that 'whether defendant's conduct caused harm to any victim is irrelevant.'

Weeks' supporters, including Professor Alan Dersowitz, highlight alleged constitutional violations in his case. These include retroactive charging, selective prosecution, indiscriminate conspiracy liability, asset seizures without safeguards, discovery violations, absence of victims, and erosion of speedy trial protections. The white paper indicates that the DOJ's current standards would not allow such a case to proceed. Joby also recounts false accusations of drug use by prosecutors, which he disproved with a hair test. He believes the government targets those who empower others, citing his efforts to fund technologies that 'free humanity'.

Joby shares the profound personal impact of his house arrest, especially on his family. His daughter, Liberty, has only known him under house arrest, and he expresses sadness over missing crucial moments of his children's lives. He tries to instill forgiveness in his daughter but acknowledges the anger she holds towards those who 'destroyed our family.' Despite his circumstances, he uses moments of gratitude to combat anger and fear. He reflects on his past achievements and encounters with influential figures, asserting that he will have a great life again. He remains unbroken, controlling his mind to resist the psychological toll of isolation.

With the passing of the Genius Act, which clarifies that proof-of-work crypto mining does not fall under securities, Joby's supporters argue for his immediate release, stating that he cannot be punished for being early and right. They urge authorities to dismiss charges, return his seized assets, and allow him to continue his work. Weeks expresses gratitude for friends who still believe in his innocence, contrasting his situation with typical fraudulent cases. He emphasizes his belief in empowering individuals economically to address global issues, advocating for financial freedom through technology.