United States v. Alexandre Cazes et al., No. 1:17-cr-00144 (E.D. Cal.), Indictment (court document, attachment to the DOJ AlphaBay release)
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Research, not advice. Part of the Bitcoin research archive (October 2026). Claims labelled unverified, contested or fringe are reported, not endorsed; statuses of bills and rules are as of the date checked. Government, court and patent records are public domain; the research notes are CC BY 4.0.
1 PHILLIP A. TALBERT
United States Attorney
2 GRANT B. RABENN
PAUL A. HEMESATH
3 Assistant United States Attorneys
2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401
4 Fresno, CA 93721
Telephone: (559) 497-4000
5 Facsimile: (559) 497-4099
6 KENNETH A. BLANCO
Acting Assistant Attorney General
7 Criminal Division, United States Justice Department ·
LOUISA K. MARION
8 Trial Attorney
Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section
9 Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: (202) 514-1026
10
Attorneys for Plaintiff
11 United States ofAmerica
12 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
13 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
uo SKO ,I
14
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CASE NO. 1: 1 7 CR - OO l 4 4
15
Plaintiff, VIOLATIONS:
16 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)- Conspiracy to Engage in a
V. Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization;
17 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), (b)(l)(C),
ALEXANDRE CAZES, 84l(h), and 843(b)-Narcotics Conspiraqy; 21 U.S.C.
18 aka "ALPHA02," §§ 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), & 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2
aka "ADMIN," Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and
19 Aiding and Abetting (5 Counts); 21 U.S.C.
Defendant. §§ 841(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), & 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2
20 Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and
Aiding and Abetting; 18 U.S.C. § 1028(f)
21 Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft and Fraud;
18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(2), (b)(l)(A)(ii), & (f), and
22 18 U.S.C. § 2- Unlawful Transfer ofa False
Identification Document, Attempt, and Aiding and
23 Abetting (4 Counts); 18 U.S.C. § 1029(b)(2)
Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud;
24 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(4), (b)(l), & (c)(l)(A)(ii), and
18 U.S.C. § 2----:- Trafficldng in Device Maldng
25 Equipment, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting;
18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)-Money Laundering
26 Conspiracy; and 18 U.S.C. §§ 982(a)(l),
982(a)(2)(B), 1028(b), 1029(c)(l)(C), 1963(a)(l),
27 (a)(2), (a)(3), and 21 U.S.C. § 853(a)- Criminal
Forfeiture.
28
INDICTMENT
1
1 INDICTMENT
2 I. GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
3 At all relevant times herein:
4 1. Defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," is a Canadian
5 citizen by birth, and obtained citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda in or around February 2017. He
6 has resided in or around Quebec, Canada, and Bangkok, Thailand.
7 2. In or around July 2014, ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," with·
8 other persons, known and unknown to the. Grand Jury, created AlphaBay (also referred to as the
9 "AlphaBay Market"), a dark-web marketplace designed to enable users to buy and sell illegal goods,
10 including controlled substances, stolen and fraudulent identification documents and access devices,
11 counterfeit goods, malware and other computer hacking tools, firearms, and toxic chemicals. The site
12 also allowed users to buy and sell illegal services, such as money laundering. AlphaBay was used by
13 thousands of vendors to distribute controlled substances and other illegal goods and services to buyers
14 throughout the world, and to launder.hundreds of millions of dollars deriving from these illegal
15 transactions. AlphaBay also provided a private, internal messaging service through which staff,
16 vendors, and buyers could communicate, as well as an associated web forum called the "AlphaBay
17 Market Forum."
18 3. AlphaBay existed on the dark web, meaning it was accessible only tln·ough The Onion
19 Router ("Tor") network, which anonymized the Internet Protocol ("IP") addresses of its underlying
20 servers. The use of Tor also made it difficult to identify the true physical locations of the website's
21 administrators, moderators, and users. AlphaBay required its users to transact in digital currencies,
22 including Bitcoin, Morrero, and Ethereum. The site did not allow for transactions in official,
23 government-backed currencies.
24 4. Digital currencies are electronically sourced units of value that exist on the Internet and
25 are not stored in a physical form. They are not issued by any government, but instead are generated and
26 controlled through computer software operating on decentralized peer-to-peer networks. Users of digital
27 currencies send units of value to and from "addresses," which are unique strings of numbers and letters
28 functioning like a public account number. Digital cmTency transactions are recorded on a publicly
INDICTMENT
2
1 available, distributed ledger, often referred to as a "blockchain." Because digital currencies are
2 transferred peer-to-peer, users can avoid traditional, regulated financial institutions, which collect
3 information about their customers and maintain anti-money laundering and fraud programs. AlphaBay
4 and its users were able to bypass the traditional financial systems by only accepting digital currencies.
5 5. AlphaBay required its users, both vendors and buyers, to execute transactions through
6 digital currency addresses hosted and ultimately controlled by the site. Before purchasing a good or
7 service, a buyer would load funds to an AlphaBay-controlled digital currency address. Once loaded,
8 AlphaBay credited the user's account by that amount. A buyer could initiate a purchase by selecting an
9 illegal good or service from a vendor and sending funds from their AlphaBay user account to an escrow
10 account controlled and maintained by AlphaBay. Upon receipt of an illegal good or service, the buyer
11 would notify AlphaBay that the transaction was completed. AlphaBay would then release the funds
12 from the escrow account to the vendor's AlphaBay account. From that point, a vendor could direct
13 AlphaBay to transfer the ill-gotten funds to digital currency addresses outside of the AlphaBay platform
14 and under the vendor's control. Buyers could transfer funds from their AlphaBay accounts in the same
15 manner. For transactions leaving the site, AlphaBay provided "tumbling" and "mixing" services to
16 attempt to obscure the historical trail of digital currency associated with the site and its users. AlphaBay
17 also advertised other external mixing and tumbling services to its users.
18 6. AlphaBay's user interface was configured like a conventional e-commerce website.
19 Users could sign up for free and provide a screen name and password of their choosing. The site
20 encouraged users to not include any information in their profile that could reveal their true identities.
21 AlphaBay provided a search tool allowing users to choose the type of illegal good or service they
22 wanted to purchase. Users could also search by price ranges, popularity of items, vendors, origin or
23 shipping country, and payment types. Further, AlphaBay's homepage allowed users to browse
24 categories of illegal goods, with categories including: fraud, drugs and chemicals, counterfeit items,
25 weapons, carded items, i.e., stolen credit card numbers and other access devices, services, software and
26 malware.
27 7. To become a vendor, a user was required to send a refundable vendor bond to the site.
28 AlphaBay allowed for users to leave "positive," "neutral," and "negative" feedback about vendors,
INDICTMENT
3
I which other users could use in choosing which vendors they would buy from. If a vendor or buyer
2 disputed a transaction, AlphaBay provided dispute settlement services, and could permanently block
3 vendors or buyers from carrying out future transactions on the site. To sell illegal goods or services on
4 AlphaBay, vendors could simply create listings on the site for buyers to see and then transact with
5 buyers, as described above.
6 8. As agreed to by all vendors, AlphaBay took a percentage of the purchase price as a
7 commission on the illegal transactions conducted through its website. ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka
8 "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other operators and employees ofthe site, controlled and profited
9 from those commissions, which were worth at least tens of millions of dollars.
10 THE ENTERPRISE
11 9. Defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and others known
12 and unknown to the Grand Jury, were members and associates of a criminal organization, hereafter, the
13 "ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION," whose members engaged in acts of: drug trafficking; trafficking in
14 counterfeit and stolen identification documents, co1:lllterfeit goods, unauthorized access devices, device-
15 making equipment, and malware and other computer hacking tools; illegal firearms distribution; and
16 money laundering, and whose members interfered with interstate and for~ign ~ommerce through acts of:
17 drug trafficking; trafficking in counterfeit ·and stolen identification documents, counterfeit goods,
18 unauthorized access devices, and device-making equipment, and malware and other computer hacking
19 tools; illegal :firearms distributions; and money laundering. Members and associates ofthe ALPHABAY
20 ORGANIZATION operated throughout the world, including in Bangkok, Thailand, and in the Counties
21 of Fresno, Merced, and-within the State and Eastern District of California.
22 10. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION, including its leadership, members, and associates,
23 constituted an "enterprise," as defined by Title 18, United States Code, Section 1961(4), that is, a group
24 of individuals asso~iated in fact, although not a legal entity. The enterprise constituted an ongoing
25 organization whose members functioned as a continuing unit for a common purpose of achieving the
26 objectives of the enterprise. The enterprise was engaged in, and its activities affected, interstate and
27 foreign commerce.
28 ///
INDICTMENT
4
1 PURPOSES OF THE ENTERPRISE
2 11. The purposes of the enterprise induded, but were not limited to, the following:
3 A. to create, maintain, and control a dark-web marketplace for trafficking in
4 narcotics, counterfeit and stolen identification documents, unauthorized access
5 devices, counterfeit goods, device-making equipment, malware and other
6 computer hacldng tools, illegal firearms, and other illegal goods and services,
7 and to launder the proceeds of such conduct;
8 B. to emich the leaders, members, and associates of the enterprise by taking a
9 commission from each illegal transaction conducted through the dark-web
10 marketplace created, maintained, and controlled by the enterprise;
11 C. to promote and enhance the reputation and standing of the enterprise and its
12 leaders, members, and associates;
13 D. to preserve and protect the enterprise's profits and client base through acts of
14 money laundering; and
15 E. to protect the enterprise and its leaders, members, and associates from detection,
16 apprehension, and prosecution by law enforcement, and from attacks by
17 enemies, such as hackers and rival dark-web marketplaces.
18 MEANS AND METHODS OF THE ENTERPRISE
19 12. The means and methods by which defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02,"
20 aka "ADMIN," and other members and associates of the enterprise conducted and participated in the
21 conduct of the affairs of the enterprise included, but were not limited to, the following:
22 A Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION distributed, and
23 facilitated the distribution of, controlled substances, including marijuana, heroin,
24 cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamines, through the AlphaBay website.
25 B. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION distributed, and
26 facilitated the distribution of, counterfeit and stolen identification documents,
27 unauthorized access devices, counterfeit goods, device-making equipment, and
28 malware and other computer hacking tools.
5
INDICTMENT
1 C. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION facilitated the
2 provision of illegal services, including money laundering and "swatting," i.e.,
3 bomb threats and false reports to law enforcement.
4 D. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION illegally sold,
5 and facilitated the illegal sale of, firearms and firearm parts.
6 E. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION laundered
7 money through the AlphaBay website by maintaining and controlling digital
8 currency addresses through which customers paid vendors on the AlphaBay
9 website, and providing mixing and tumbling services for digital currency
10 transactions from the AlphaBay-hosted digital currency addresses to addresses
11 outside of the AlphaBay website. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY
12 ORGANIZATION also laundered money by taking a percentage of all illegal
13 transactions as a commission, and sending those commissions to members and
14 associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION as salary payments. Further,
15 members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION laundered
16 money by sending their proceeds from administering the AlphaBay website to
17 digital currency exchangers, where the funds were converted into official, fiat
18 currency and spent on personal goods and services.
19 F. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION used various
20 means of communication designed to protect the membership's anqnymity and
21 to provide security for the criminal organization from attack by hackers, other
22 criminal organizations, and from law enforcement, including but not limited to:
23 i. An internally hosted messaging service on the AlphaBay website, which
24 was controlled by the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION;
25 ii. An internally hosted forum called the "AlphaBay Market Forum," which
26 was controlled by the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION;
27 iii. Private messaging, including through Jabber, an encrypted instant
28 messaging and multi-user conferencing technology;
6
INDICTMENT
1 iv. "Pretty Good Privacy" ("PGP") encryption, which was required for all
2 vendor communications and encouraged for all other users;
3 v. Proxies, which bounced network traffic from one computer to another to
4 hide a member's true originating IP address, including through the Tor
5 network;
6 vi. Multiple contingency Uniform Resource Locators ("URLs") on the Tor
7 network for redundancy in case of seizure by law enforcement or attack
8 by enemies, such as through a distributed denial of service ("DDOS")
9 attack;
10 Vll. Virtual Private Networks ("VPNs"), which are similar to proxies, but
11 with the addition of creating an encrypted tunnel; and
12 viii. Public websites, including Reddit (at "www.reddit.com").
13 G. Members and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION used digital
14 currencies, including Bitcoin, to facilitate illegal transactions on the website, to
15 protect the membership's anonymity, and to facilitate the laundering of the
16 membership's ill-gotten gains. Members and associates of the enterprise also
17 provided mixing and tumbling services for the website's users, which assisted
18 them in attempting to obscure the historical trail of digital currencies transferred
19 from user accounts on the website to privately held digital currency addresses
20 outside of the site's purview.
21 ROLE OF THE DEFENDANT AND CO-CONSPIRATORS
22 13. Leaders, members, and associates of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION had defined
23 roles in the enterprise. At all times relevant to this indictment, defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka
24 "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," (herein "CAZES") and other persons, known and unknown to the Grand
25 Jury, participated in the operation and management of the enterprise as follows:
26 Administrator:
27 14. Defendant CAZES created and founded the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION and its
28 online platform, which included the AlphaBay Market and the AlphaBay Market Forum. CAZES began
7
INDICTMENT
1 creating the AlphaBay online platform in or around July 2014, and, with other persons, lmown and
2 unlmown to the Grand Jury, publicly launched the site in or around December 2014. CAZES served as
'-
3 the leader of the managers and operators of the criminal organization, who, collectively, controlled the
4 destiny of the enterprise.
5 15. CAZES had ultimate control of the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION, including its
6 membership. CAZES had final authority to delete the accounts of moderators, vendors, and buyers on
7 the website and forum. CAZES also had final authority in settling disputes among moderators, vendors,
8 and other users of the website. CAZES was ultimately responsible for the website's operational security
9 and technology updates. CAZES controlled the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION's earnings, which
10 derived primarily from a commission it made on every transaction occurring through the website. He
11 also had final control over salary payments to the staff members in the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION,
12 which were made in digital currencies, such as Bitcoin.
13 Security Administrator:
14 16. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION employed a "security administrator" responsible
15 for administering the AlphaBay online platform with CAZES. The _security administrator had high-level
16 access to the website and, with CAZES, was responsible for the website's operational security and
17 technology updates. The security administrator also had partial control of moderator, vendor, and other
18 users' accounts on the AlphaBay online platform.
19 Moderators:
20 17. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION employed moderators to review and moderate
21 disputes among vendors and buyers on the website. Moderators had access to portions of the AlphaBay
22 platform that were not available to the general public. Moderators had the authority to refund payments
23 from buyers on the website, to restore a user's access to the site, to engage in staff-only discussions and
24 meetings, and to view the amount of digital currency available to other members of the ALPHABAY
25 ORGANIZATION. Moderators were paid based in part on the amount of work they performed for the
26 ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION.
27 Ill
28 Ill
INDICTMENT
8
1 Scam Watch:
2 18. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION employed "scam watchers" responsible for
3 monitoring and quashing phishing attempts and other scams being carried out on the AlphaBay online
4 platform.
5 Public Relations Manager:
6 19. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION employed a public relations manager responsible
7 for outreach to the website's users and the broader dark-web community. The public relations manager
8 posted updates about the website on the internally hosted AlphaBay Market Forum, and on public
9 websites, such as Reddit. The public relations manager also assisted the website's users with issues they
10 had with the website, such as dispute settlement.
11 Vendors:
12 20. The ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION facilitated the sale of illegal goods and services on
13 its website. Those sales were made by vendors. Vendors were users who had paid a refundable vendor
14 bond and were thus given permission to create listings for the sale of illegal goods and services.
15 Vendors were assigned "trust levels" by the AlphaBay website based on several factors, including the
16 amount of goods sold and reviews from customers. As alleged above, vendors received payments from
17 customers through digital currency addresses hosted by the AlphaBay website. A percentage of all
18 payments were kept by the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION. Further, vendors communicated with their
19 customers through an encrypted, internal messaging service hosted by the AlphaBay website. In
20 addition, vendors used AlphaBay moderators and other employees to assist in settling disputes with
21 customers.
22 COUNT ONE: [18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) - Conspiracy to Engage in a Racketeer Influenced Corrupt
Organization]
23
The Grand Jury charges:
24
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
25 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
26 defendant herein, as follows:
27 Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as· fully set forth herein.
21.
28
9
INDICTMENT
1 22. Beginning no later than in or around July 2014 and continuing to in or around June 2017,
2 in the Counties of Fresno, Merced, in the State and Eastern District of
3
California and elsewhere, defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," with
4
other persons, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, being persons employed by and associated with
5
the ALPHABAY ORGANIZATION, an enterprise, which engaged in, and the activities of which
6.
7 affected, interstate and foreign conm1erce, knowingly and intentionally conspired to violate Title 18,
8 United States Code, Section 1962(c), that is, to conduct and participate, directly and indirectly, in the
9 conduct of the affairs of that enterprise through a pattern ofracketeering activity, as that term is defined
10 in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1961(1) and (5), consisting ofmultiple acts indictable under 18
11
U.S.C. § 1028 (fraud in connection with identification documents), 18 U.S.C. § 1029 (fraud in
12
connection with access devices), and 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957 (money laundering); and multiple
13
14 offenses involving narcotics trafficking, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 843, and 846 (drug trafficking,
15 use of a communication facility, and conspiracy).
16 23. It was a part of the conspiracy that defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02,"
17 aka "ADMIN," agreed that at least two acts ofracketeering activity would be committed by a
18
conspirator in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise.
19
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d).
20
21 COUNT TWO: [21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), & (b)(l)(C), 84l(h), and 843(b)
Narcotics Conspiracy]
22
The Grand Jury charges:
23
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
24 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
25 defendant herein, as follows:
26 Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
24.
27 Beginning no later than in or around July 2014 and continuing to in or around June 201 7,
25.
28
10
INDICTMENT
1 in the Counties of Fresno, Merced, within the State and Eastern District of
2 California, and elsewhere, ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," did lmowingly . 1
3
and intentionally conspire with other persons, known and unlmown to the Grand Jury, to violate, Title
4
21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), (b)(l)(C), 841(h), and 843(b), all in violation of
5
Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.
6
7 26. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES,
8 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, known and unlmown to the Grand Jury, would and
9 did distribute controlled substances, including but not limited to: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl,
lO and methamphetamines, on AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, and did aid and abet such distribution,
11
in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), and (b)(l)(C), and Title 18,
12
United States Code, Section 2.
13
27. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES,
14
15 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, lmown and unlmown to the Grand Jury, would and
, 16 did deliver, distribute, and dispense controlled substances, including but not limited to: marijuana,
17 heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamines, by means of the futemet, including through
18
AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, in a manner not authorized by law, and did aid and abet such
19
conduct, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 84l(h), and Title 18, United States Code,
20
Section 2.
21
28. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES,
22
23 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, lmown and unlmown to the Grand Jury, would and
24 did knowingly and intentionally use a communication facility, including AlphaBay, a dark-web
25 marketplace, in committing and in causing and facilitating the commission of acts constituting a felony
26
under Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846, and did aid and abet such conduct, in
27
violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
28
INDICTMENT
11
1 29. The controlled substances ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
2 conspired to distribute included, among others: at least one kilogram of mixtures and substances
3
containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance; at least 50 grams of
4
methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance; and at least 1,000 kilograms of
5
marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.
6
7 All in violation of Title 21, United State Code, Section 846.
8 COUNT THREE: [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2-Distiibution of
a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
9
The Grand Jury further charges:
10
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
11 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
12 defendant herein, as follows:
13 30. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
14
31. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
15
unlmown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Merced, within the State and Eastern District of California,
16
and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, lmowingly and
17
intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of, marijuana, a Schedule I controlled
18
19 substance.
20 Appx. Appx.
AlphaBay AlphaBay Controlled
Purchase Mailing Appx. Mailing Locations
21 Vendor Buyer Substance
Date Date
22 "MG," an Merced, California to
"CC4L" 12129/2015 12131/2015 Marijuana
undercover agent Buffalo, New York
23
24
All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 84l(b)(l)(C), and 846, and
25
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
26
Ill
27
28 Ill
INDICTMENT
12
1 COUNT FOUR: [21 U.S.C. §§ 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2 -·Distribution of
a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
2
The Grand Jury further charges:
3
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
4 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
5 defendant herein, as follows:
6
32. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
7
33. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
8
unlrnown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Fresno, within the State and Eastern District of California,
9
10 and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, lmowingly and
11 intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of, heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
12
Appx. Appx.
13 AlphaBay Appx. Mailing Controlled
AlphaBay Buyer Purchase Mailing
Vendor Locations Substance
Date Date
14
-an Brooklyn, New York
"A51" 05/16/2016 05/20/2016 Heroin
15 undercover agent to Fresno, California
16 All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 84l(b)(l)(C), and 846, and
17
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
18
COUNT-FIVE: [21 U.S.C. §§ 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2-Distribution of a
19 Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
20 The Grand Jury further charges:
21 ALEXANDRE CAZES,
aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
22
defendant herein, as follows:
23
34. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
24
25 35. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, lrnown and
26 unlrnown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Fresno, within the State and Eastern District of California,
27 and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, knowingly and
28
INDICTMENT
13
l intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of, heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
2
Annx. Annx.
3 AinhaBay AinhaBay AJ:!J:!X. Mailing Controlled
Purchase Mailing
Vendor Buyer Locations Substance
4 Date Date
-an Brooklyn, New York
5 "A51" undercover 05/24/2016 05/27/2016 Heroin
to Fresno, California
agent
6
All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 84l(b)(l)(C), and 846, and
7
8 Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
9 COUNT SIX: [21 U.S.C. §§ 84l(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2-Distributionofa
Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
10
The Grand Jury further charges:
11
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
12
aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
13 defendant herein, as follows:
14
36. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
15
37. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, lrnown and
16
unknown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Fresno, within the State and Eastern District of California,
17
18 and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, knowingly and
19 intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of, heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance,
20 and fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
21
Annx. Annx.
22 AinhaBay AinhaBay Annx. Mailing Controlled
Purchase Mailing
Vendor Buyer Locations Substance
23 Date Date
-an San Francisco, California Heroin and
24 "BSB" undercover 10/20/2016 10/25/2016
to Fresno, California Fentanyl
agent
25
All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 84l(b)(l)(C), and 846, and
26
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
27
28 ///
INDICTMENT
14
1 COUNT SEVEN: [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l), (b)(l)(C), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2-Distribution of
a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
2
The Grand Jury further charges:
3
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
4 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
5 defendant herein, as follows:
6 38. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
7
39. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
8
unknown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Fresno, within the State and Eastern District of California,
9
and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, knowingly and
10
11 intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of, marijuana, a Schedule I controlled
12 substance.
13
A:u:ux. A:u:ux. A:u:ux. Mailing Controlled
14 AI:uhaBa:1 Purchase Mailing
AI:uhaBal'.: Bul'.:er Substance
Vendor Locations
-
Date Date
15
-an L o s . , California Marijuana
undercover agent -2016 -2016 to California
16
17 All in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sectio113 84l(a)(l), 841(b)(l)(C), and 846, and
18
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
19
COUNT EIGHT: [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l), (b)(l)(A), and 846, and 18 U.S.C. § 2-Distribution of
20 a Controlled Substance, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
21 The Grand Jury further charges:
22 ALEXANDRE CAZES,
aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
23
defendant herein, as follows:
24
40. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
25
41. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
26
27 unknown to the Grand Jury, in the County of Fresno, within the State and Eastern District of California,
28 and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, knowingly and
INDICTMENT
15
1 intentionally distribute, and aid and abet the distribution of at least SO ·grams of methamphetamine
2 (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance.
3
4 Al!J!X. Al!J!X.
Al}!haBa1 AIJ!haBa1 Ai;mx. Mailing
Purchase Mailing Controlled Substance
Vendor Bu1er Locations
5 Date Date
6
7
8
- -an
undercover -2017 -2017
agent
-California
to - California
Methamphetamine
(actual) (more than 50
grams)
All in violation of Title 21, United Stat~s Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 8.41(b)(l)(A), and 846, and
9 Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
10 COUNT NINE: [18 U.S.C. § 1028(f) - Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft and Fraud Related to
Identification Documents]
11
The Grand Jury charges:
12
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
13 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
14 defendant herein, as follows:
15 42. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
16 43. Beginning in or around July 2014 and continuing to in or around June 2017, in the
17 County of-within the State and Eastern District of California, and elsewhere, ALEXANDRE
18
CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," did knowingly and intentionally conspire with other persons,
19
known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to violate Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028(a)(2) &
20
21 (f), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
22 1028(f).
23 44. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES,
24 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would and
25
did lmowingly1transfer false identification documents !mowing that such documents were produced
26
without lawful authority, and the transfer of such identification documents was in and affected interstate
27
and foreign commerce, and did aid and abet such transfers, in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
28
lNDIC1MENT
16
1 Section 1028(a)(2), (b)(l)(A)(ii), and (f); and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
2 45. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effectuate the objects and purposes of the
3
conspiracy, the following overt acts, in addition to others, were committed in the Eastern District of
4
California, and elsewhere:
5
a. In or around December 2014, the defendant, with others, known and unknown to the
6
Grand Jury, publicly launched AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace allowing for and facilitating
7
8 the sale and transfer of counterfeit and stolen identification documents and authentication
9 features.
10 b. From in or around December 2014 continuing through in or around June 2017, the
11
defendant, with others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, collected a commission on all
12
sales made through the AlphaBay website.
13
c. On or about - 2015, AlphaBay vendor-mailed a false-State
14
Driver license from in or around to an undercover law enforcement officer
15
16 operating on Alph~ay as user - i n or around-California.
17 d. On or a b o u t - 2016, AlphaBay vendor-mailed two false-State
18 Driver licenses from in or around to an undercover law enforcement
19
officer operating on AlphaBay as user - i n or around-California.
20
e. On or about 2016, AlphaBay vendor -mailed a false-State
21
Driver license from in or around to an undercover law enforcement officer
22
23 operating on AlphaBay as user_ in or around-California.
24 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(f).
25 Ill
26 Ill
27 Ill
28 Ill
17
INDICTMENT
1 COUNTS TEN THROUGH THIRTEEN: [18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(2), (b)(l)(A)(ii), & (f), and 18 U.S.C.
1 § 2 - Unlawful Transfer of a False Identification Document,
2 Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
3
The Grand Jury further charges:
4
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
5 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
6 defendant herein, as follows:
7 46. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
8 47. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
9 unknown to the Grand Jury, in the County of-within the State and Eastern District of California,
1O and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, knowingly transfer
11
false identification documents as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1028(d)(4), to wit: false - S t a t e Driver
12
licenses, as set forth in the table below, knowing that such documents were produced without lawful
13
14 authority, and the transfers of such identification documents were in and affected interstate and foreign
15 commerce.
16
On or About Document Tme/ AlphaBa:y
17 Count AlphaBa:y Bu:yer
Transfer Date Appx. Mailing Locations Vendor
18
19
Ten -2015
False !!!!State
Driver license mai ed from
- - an undercover agent,
in-California
20
21
Eleven -2016 Driver license mailed from
- - a n undercover agent,
in-California
22 Twelve -2016
False ~ t a t e ·
Driver license mailed from
- - a n undercover agent,
in-California
-
23 False-tate
- an undercover agent,
24 Thirteen Driver license mailed from
2016 in-California
25
26 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(2), (b)(l)(A)(ii), and (f), and
27 Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
28
INDICTMENT 18
1 COUNT FOURTEEN: [18 U.S.C. § 1029(b)(2) - Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud]
2 The Grand Jury charges:
3 ALEXANDRE CAZES,
aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
4
defendant herein, as follows:
5
48. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
6
7
49. Beginning in or around July 2014 and continuing to in or around June 2017, in the
8 County of-within the State and Eastern District of California, and elsewhere, ALEXANDRE
9 CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," did lrnowingly and intentionally conspire with other persons,
lO known and unlrnown to the Grand Jury, to violate Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(2),
11
(a)(4), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
12
50. It was a part and object ofthe conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES,
13
14 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, lrnown and unlmown to the Grand Jury, would and
15 did lrnowingly and with the intent to defraud, traffic in, have control and custody over, and possess
16 device-making equipment, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(e)(6), affecting
17 interstate and foreign commerce, and did aid and abet such conduct, in violation of Title 18, United
18
States Code, Section 1029(a)(4) and (c)(1 )(A)(ii), and Title 18, United ~tates Code, Section 2.
19
51. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka
20
"ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, known and unlrnown to the Grand Jury, would and did
21
22 knowingly and with the intent to defraud, traffic in one or more unauthorized access devices, as defined
23 in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(e)(3), during any one-year period, and by such conduct
24 obtained anything of value aggregating to $1,000 or more during that period, affecting interstate and
25 foreign commerce, and did aid and abet such conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
26
Section l029(a)(2) and (c)(l)(A)(i), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
27
52. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effectuate the objects and purposes of the
28
INDICTMENT
19
1 conspiracy, the following overt acts, in addition to others, were committed in the Eastern District of
2 California, and elsewhere:
3
a. In or around December 2014, the defendant, with others, known and unknown to the
\ '
4
Grand Jury, publicly launched AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace allowing for and facilitating
5
the sale of device-making equipment and unauthorized access devices.
6
7 b. From in or around December 2014 continuing through in or around June 2017, the
8 defendant, with others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, collected a commission on all
9 sales made through the AlphaBay website.
10
c. On or about 015, AlphaBay vendor-mailed a
11
automated teller machine skimming device from in or around toAlphaBay
12
user - a n undercover law enforcement agent located in or around-California.
13
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2).
14
15 COUNT FIFTEEN: [18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(4), (b)(l), & (c)(l)(A)(ii), and 18 U.S.C. § 2
Trafficking in Device Making Equipme:p.t, Attempt, and Aiding and Abetting]
16
The Grand Jury further charges:
17
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
18 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
19 defendant herein, as follows:
20 53. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
21 54. On the dates set forth in the table below, the defendant, with other persons, known and
22
unknown to the Grand Jury, in the County o ~ t h i n the State and Eastern District of California,
23
and elsewhere, through AlphaBay, a dark-web marketplace, did, and attempted to, lmowingly and with
24
the intent to defraud, traffic in, have control and custody over, and possess device-making equipment, as
25
26 defined in subsection (e)(6), as set forth in the table below, affecting interstate and foreign commerce,
27 and aided and abetted such conduct.
28
INDICTMENT
20
1 Appx. Appx.
AlphaBay AlphaBay Appx. Mailing Unauthorized Access
Purchase Transfer
2 Vendor Buyer Locatio1i"s Device
Date Date
-
3 -an to automated teller
undercover -2015 -2015
4 -California machine skimming
agent
device
5
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(4), (b)(l), & (c)(l)(A)(ii), and
6
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
7
COUNT SIXTEEN: [18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)-Money Laundering Conspiracy]
8
The Grand Jury charges:
9
ALEXANDRE CAZES,
10 aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN,"
11 defendant herein, as follows:
12.
55. Paragraphs 1 through 20 are incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.
13
56. As described above, A]phaBay, a dark-web marketplace, hosted digital currency
14
addresses for its users, both vendors and buyers, to carry out illegal transactions, including money
15
laundering services. AlphaBay also provided tumbling and mixing services to obscure the hist01ical
16
17 trail of digital currency associated with the site and its users, some ofwhom were located in the Eastern
18 District of California. Further, as described above, AlphaBay took a percentage on all illegal
19 transactions occurring through its site as a commission, which went to the defendant and other operators
20 of the site. In addition, ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and co-conspirators,
21
moved their ill-gotten profits throughout_ the world, including to and from Thailand.
22
57. Beginning in or around July 2014 and continuing to in or around June 2017, in the
23
24 Counties of Fresno, Merced, andlllliawithin the State and Eastern District of California, and
25 elsewhere, ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," did knowingly and intentionally
26 conspire with other persons, lmown and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit money laundering, in
27 violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(l)(B)(i) and 1957.
28
INDICTMENT
21
1 58. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka
2 "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, known and unlmown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly
3
conduct financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, which involved the proceeds of
4
specified unlawful activities, including: distribution of a controlled substance in violation of Title 21,
5
United States Code, Section 841 (a)(1 ), lmowing that the transactions were designed in whole or in part
6
to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds of such
7
8 specified unlawful activity, and that while conducting the financial transactions, knew that the property
9 involved in the financial transactions represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, in
10 violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(l)(B)(i).
11
59. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka
12
"ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," and other persons, lmown and unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly
13
engage in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property, through a financial institution,
14
15 affecting interstate and foreign commerce, of a value greater than $10,000, such property having been
16 derived from specified unlawful activities, including: distribution of a controlled substance in violation
17 of Title 21, United States Code, Section 84l(a)(l), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
18
1957.
19
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h).
20
FORFEITURE ALLEGATION: [18 U.S.C. §§ 982(a)(l), 982(a)(2)(B), 1028(b), 1029(c)(l)(C),
21 1963(a)(l), (a)(2), (a)(3), and 21 U.S.C. § 853(a)- Criminal
Forfeiture]
22
60. Upon conviction of the offense alleged in Count One of this Indictment, defendant
23
ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," shall forfeit to the United States pursuant to
24
Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1963(a)(l), 1963(a)(2), and 1963(a)(3), any interest the defendant
25
acquired or maintained in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962; any interest in,
26
security of, claim against, or property or contractual right of any kind affording a source of influence
27
over any enterprise which the defendant established, operated, controlled, conducted, or participated in
28
22
INDICTMENT
1 the conduct of, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962, as a result of this offense; and
2 any property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds which the defendant obtained, directly or
3 indirectly, from racketeering activity in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962.
4 61. Upon conviction of one or more of the offenses alleged in Counts Two through Eight of
5 this Indictment, defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," shall forfeit to the
6 United States pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(a), the following property:
7 a. All right, title, and interest in any and all property involved in violations of Title
8 21, United States Code, Sections 84l(a)(l), 841(b)(l)(A), 841(b)(l)(C), 841(h), 843(b), and 846 or a
9 conspiracy to commit such offenses, for which defendant is convicted, and all property traceable to such
10 property, including all real or personal property, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds obtained,
11 directly or indirectly, as a result of such offenses; and all property used, or intended to be used, in any
12 manner or part to commit or to facilitate the commission of the offenses.
13 b. A sum of money equal to the total amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the
14 offenses, or conspiracy to commit such offenses, for which defendant is convicted.
15 62. Upon conviction of one or more of the offenses alleged in Counts Nine through Thirteen
16 of this Indictment, defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," shall forfeit to
I
17 the United States pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(B), any property
18 constituting, or derived from, proceeds the defendant obtained directly or indirectly, as a result of such
19 violations; and pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(b), any personal property used or
20 intended to be used to commit the offenses.
21 63. Upon conviction of one or more of the offenses alleged in Counts Fourteen and Fifteen of
22 this Indictment, defendant ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," shall forfeit to the
23 United States pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(B), any property constituting,
24 or derived from, proceeds the defendant obtained directly or indirectly, as a result of such violations; and
25 pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(c)(1 )(C), any personal property used or intended
26 to be used to commit the offenses.
27 64. Upon conviction of the offense alleged in Count Sixteen of this Indictment, defendant
28 ALEXANDRE CAZES, aka "ALPHA02," aka "ADMIN," shall forfeit to the United States, pursuant to
INDICTMENT
23
1 Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(l ), all property, real or personal, involved in such offense,
2 and any property traceable to such property, including but not limited to the following:
3 a. A sum of money equal to the amount ofmoney involved in the offense, for which
4 defendant is convicted.
5 65. If any property subject to forfeiture, as a result of the offenses alleged in Counts One
6 through Sixteen of this Indictment, for which defendant is convicted:
7 a. cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence;
8 b. has been transferred or sold to, or deposited with, a third party;
9 C. has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the Court;
10 d. has been substantially diminished in value; or
11 e. has been commingled with other property which cannot be divided without
12 difficulty;
13 it is the intent of the United States, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 982(b)(1 ), and
14 1963(m), incorporating Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p), to seek forfeiture of any other
15 property of defendant, up to the value of the property subject to forfeiture.
16
A TRUE BILL.
17 /s/ Signature on fl1e W/MJSA
18 FOREPERSON
19 PHILLIP A. TALBERT KENNETH A. BLANCO
United States Attorney Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal
20 Division
21
JOHN T. LYNCH, JR.
22 Chief, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property
Assistant United States Attorney Section
23 Chief, Fresno Division
24
By: citf?___;
LO~ K. i\.11\.RION
25 Trial Attorney
. Computer Crime & Intellectual
26 Property Section
United States Department of Justice
27
28
INDICTMENT
24