'Free Keene' Activists Indicted On Virtual Currency Charges

CONCORD, NH — Six people connected to the "Free Keene" liberty movement, including two former candidates for governor in New Hampshire, have been indicted after a nearly five-year-long investigation into an unlicensed money transmitting business that dealt in virtual currency, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Five were indicted on wire fraud and participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They include Ian Freeman (formerly Ian Bernard), 40, of Keene; Colleen Fordham, 60, of Alstead; Renee Spinella, 23, of Derry; Andrew Spinella, 35, of Derry; and Nobody (formerly Richard Paul), 52, of Keene. Freeman was also indicted on money laundering and operating a continuing financial crimes enterprise. Aria DiMezzo (formerly James Baker), 34, of Keene, along with Freeman were also charged with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

All six, according to acting-U.S. Attorney John Farley, "operated a business that enabled customers to exchange over $10 million in fiat currency for virtual currency, charging a fee for their service." The virtual currency exchange business used websites as well as operating virtual currency ATM machines in New Hampshire, he said.

"The indictment alleges that the defendants knowingly operated the virtual currency exchange business in violation of federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations," Farley said. "In furtherance of their scheme, the indictment alleges that some defendants opened bank accounts in the names of purported religious entities."

Investigators accused some of engaging in "substantial efforts" to evade detection of the virtual currency exchange by avoiding answering financial institutions' questions about the nature of the business. The indictment accused them of misleading financial institutions into believing their virtual currency exchange business was a religious organization receiving charitable contributions.

Freeman did not return a phone call or email for comment.

Both Freeman and Nobody are past gubernatorial candidates in New Hampshire.

Nobody, a pro-marijuana activist who ran in the Republican primary last year, received 1,239 votes or a little less than 1 percent. Nobody has also been involved in the recent ReOpenNH rallies last year.

Freeman ran in 2014 in the Democrat's primary and received 4.1 percent of the vote or 1,719 votes. Before running in 2014, Freeman was arrested on an unsworn falsification and prohibitions charge. He was accused of using different names to obtain IDs.

Both Freeman and Nobody attended a recent pre-Inauguration Day protest at the Statehouse in Concord and spoke about their campaign efforts. Freeman is also a nationally broadcast talk host via the Free Talk Live network which is on nearly 200 radio stations.

According to the SentinelSource.com, the FBI raided properties associated with the group on Tuesday.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the U.S. District Court and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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