Bloomberg reported that Charlie Shrem is scheduled to appear on a panel following the premiere of the documentary "The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin" at the Tribeca Film Festival today. Shrem, who has been charged with conspiracy to launder a million dollars' worth of Bitcoins to aid Silk Road customers to make anonymous illegal purchases, will be wearing a court-monitored ankle bracelet at the film fest event at the SVA Theater in Manhattan. The 24 year-old has been permitted by the court to leave his parents' Brooklyn home, where he has been holed up under house arrest following his indictment. The news agency said that the charges filed against Shrem could send him to prison for 20 years.
In a phone interview, Shrem expressed his excitement with the documentary, which tells the journey of the controversial cryptocurrency from obscurity to the most sought-after investment. Bitcoin enthusiasts and evangelists, including Shrem, had taken part of the documentary to discuss about Bitcoin. Bloomberg said the making of the film was spurred by the director's brother's hobby as a bitcoin miner. 35 year-old Daniel Mross, who is a programmer by profession, told his brother filmmaker Nicholas that there were a lot of underground stories about the virtual money.
On the other hand, Bloomberg said the film premiere will be a break for Shrem as his case is still ongoing. According to his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, Shrem is planning to submit a not guilty plea following his arraignment.
The news agency said Shrem actually opened up about his fears of going to jail in relation to his dealings with Bitcoin. Referring to the US government's reaction to the cryptocurrency, he said to the camera, "It's super-terrifying. I don't want to go to jail and I don't want to become a martyr either."
When he was asked later about his comment on the film, Shrem said in the Bloomberg interview, "I am not dead, I am not in prison but I am definitely taking a hit. A lot of the information that they are using against me I voluntarily gave them. The case against me is very weak and will probably never even see a courtroom, but it is just the fact that I am a young kid and I am easily scare-able, and I am scared, frankly."
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