TLDR:
- Berman Jerry Nowlin, aged 21, took his life on December 21, 2024, while awaiting judgement in a case of fraudulent cryptocurrency activities.
- Nowlin faced charges related to financial deception and money laundering for a fraudulent 'rug pull' involving NFTs known as 'Undead Apes'.
- The fraudulent operation, carried out with Devin Rhoden, led to investor losses amounting to $135,000.
- Nowlin’s family asserts he is not guilty, referencing his autism and technical role in developing the blockchain collectibles.
- His associate, Rhoden, admitted guilt and was granted 5 years of probation after providing testimony against Nowlin.
Berman Jerry Nowlin, a 21-year-old programmer caught up in an NFT-linked crypto crime, was found dead on December 21, 2024, at his residence in Alabama, as stated by his relatives. Nowlin faced sentencing after a jury in Tampa declared him guilty of financial misconduct and laundering tactics.
The controversy revolved around NFT series called ' Undead Apes ’ and ‘Undead Lady Apes,’ which Nowlin developed alongside long-time acquaintance Devin Rhoden, an airman stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. These pieces, showing vividly designed apes in skeletal forms, were exchanged on the Solana platform.
Federal authorities argued that Nowlin and Rhoden carried out a 'rug pull', leading to $135,000 in investor losses. The fraudulent scheme unraveled when they abandoned a promising third series named 'Undead Tombstone', causing market values to drop sharply.
Despite the prosecution's claims, Nowlin’s legal team continually vouched for his innocence. They portrayed him as unknowingly involved, highlighting his role as only responsible for coding the blockchain assets.
According to his mother, Deanna Ambrose, Nowlin, diagnosed with autism, had a level of intelligence above the norm but with emotional development akin to a young teenager. His condition complicated social dynamics, resulting in virtual friendships predominating his life.
The self-taught programmer spent a lot of his days engrossed in coding and engaging with communities on Discord, where he met Rhoden. Their first NFT ventures turned out to be both legitimate and lucrative, with NFTs fetching up to $360 each.
Defending attorney J. Jervis Wise asserted that Nowlin lacked any real reason to engage in fraudulent acts, especially given their initial NFT success story. He painted his client as a technical cog in the machine, while Rhoden took charge of public relations and investor dealings.
However, the prosecution provided proof that Nowlin used 'chain hopping', a money-laundering tactic, to move illicit funds from Solana to Ethereum, then cashed out the digital money into U.S. currency to be shared with Rhoden.
Court papers included internet chats where the duo discussed the swindle. Rhoden fessed up to the federal accusations and provided testimony against Nowlin during the court case, earning a five-year probation as a result in November 2024.
After being taken into custody, Nowlin adhered to pre-trial limitations, which included using only non-internet capable phones and staying offline. His family claimed that such technological bans blocked him from proving attempts to compensate the investors.
His mother noted that post-conviction, a deep depression gripped Nowlin, more so from the potential damage a criminal record could do to his tech career, rather than the looming prison time.
Before his untimely death, Nowlin envisioned a lifestyle of remote work paired with travel, planning to equip a van as a mobile workstation. In addition to his digital endeavors, he enjoyed angling and exploring new places, including past visits to Jamaica.
The incident throws light on the increasing concern around crypto crimes, particularly 'rug pull' scams where developers take off after collecting investor cash. These situations have prompted more focused scrutiny from federal agents.
Rhoden’s military role at MacDill Air Force Base added an intriguing twist to the saga, showcasing how individuals from diverse backgrounds can be entangled in crypto deceit.
Documents from court proceedings exposed how a fellow airman of Rhoden's played a vital role by tipping off authorities, highlighting the importance of insider information in tackling cryptocurrency crimes.
