iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Raheim Hamilton, a co-creator and co-operator of the dark-web marketplace Empire Market, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison and fined $5 million on October 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced October 7. DOJ says Empire Market facilitated more than four million transactions worth over $430 million between 2018 and 2020. Its case figures describe alleged market activity, not an independently audited measure.
Who is Raheim Hamilton?
Hamilton co-created and co-operated Empire Market with Thomas Pavey. Although the headline may suggest a single owner, DOJ describes the men as co-owners and operators. Hamilton pleaded guilty in January 2026 to a federal drug conspiracy charge; the October sentencing followed that plea. DOJ’s January 27, 2026 plea announcement describes his admissions and agreed forfeitures.
What was Empire Market, and how did it work?
Empire Market was a dark-web marketplace that DOJ says operated from 2018 until it shut down in August 2020. It offered controlled substances, stolen or compromised account credentials, stolen personally identifying information, counterfeit currency and computer-hacking tools. Drug sales were the most prevalent category, according to DOJ.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Users accessed the site with specialized anonymizing software and a .onion address, rather than through an ordinary searchable website. DOJ says Hamilton admitted that he and Pavey designed the market to help users evade law enforcement and launder proceeds. Transactions had to use cryptocurrency; operators encouraged tumbling or mixing services and encrypted communications. These were methods the operators promoted, not proof that transactions could not be traced.
#1 Best Overall
What scale did DOJ attribute to the market?
DOJ’s October 2026 sentencing announcement says Empire Market facilitated more than four million transactions worth over $430 million during its 2018–2020 operation. The agency separately reports nearly $375 million in net drug sales over the site’s lifespan. Transaction value and net drug sales are distinct case figures, not interchangeable totals.
DOJ also says the market sold approximately at least 13,314.23 grams of fentanyl, 446,683.15 grams of cocaine, 71,992.33 grams of methamphetamine and 103,396.21 grams of heroin. These are quantities DOJ attributes to sales on the market; they should not be read as amounts recovered by investigators.
Rank #2
What assets were seized or forfeited?
The DOJ announcements describe two different asset figures with different scopes:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Investigation-wide seizure: The June 2024 charging announcement reported cryptocurrency valued at $75 million at the time of seizure. That figure relates to the investigation, not solely to Hamilton.
- Hamilton’s agreed forfeitures: In his plea, Hamilton agreed to forfeit approximately 1,230 bitcoin and 24.4 Ether, among other assets. The DOJ releases do not provide a current dollar valuation for those amounts.
Neither figure should be substituted for the other: one is an investigation-wide seizure valuation at the time of seizure; the other describes cryptocurrency Hamilton agreed to forfeit.
What is Thomas Pavey’s case status?
Pavey pleaded guilty. In its October 7, 2026 sentencing announcement, DOJ said he was scheduled to be sentenced later that month. That announcement does not establish whether the hearing took place or what sentence, if any, was imposed. The DOJ sentencing announcement is the source for Hamilton’s sentence and the stated status of Pavey’s case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the case unfolded
- 2018–2020: DOJ says Hamilton and Pavey co-owned and operated Empire Market; the site began in February 2018 and shut down in August 2020.
- June 14, 2024: DOJ announced charges against both men.
- January 27, 2026: DOJ announced Hamilton’s guilty plea to a federal drug conspiracy charge.
- October 5, 2026: Judge Steven C. Seeger imposed Hamilton’s 40-year prison term and $5 million fine.
- October 7, 2026: DOJ published its sentencing announcement and said Pavey was scheduled to be sentenced later in October.
The June 2024 charging release described charges, which were allegations at that stage. Hamilton’s later guilty plea and sentence are subsequent case developments. DOJ’s releases do not provide Judge Seeger’s sentencing rationale, guideline calculation or the final judgment, so the reason for the specific 40-year term cannot be established from those announcements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Author: Zahn, Timothy.
- Publisher: Del Rey
- Pages: 416
- Publication Date: 1992
- Edition: Reprint
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
