# Empire Market dark web marketplace sentencing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/empire-market-dark-web-marketplace-sentencing > Updated: 2026-10-12T10:11:51.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Raheim Hamilton, a 30-year-old co-founder of the dark web marketplace Empire Market, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison. The sentencing follows a guilty plea to drug conspiracy charges in Chicago. Operating between 2018 and 2020, Empire Market facilitated over four million transactions totaling more than $430 million. While the platform was used to trade hacking tools, stolen credentials, and counterfeit currency, drug sales accounted for approximately $375 million in net sales. These transactions involved substances such as fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. To evade law enforcement, the platform utilized encrypted communications and cryptocurrency. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger imposed a $5 million fine and ordered the forfeiture of proceeds linked to the marketplace. As part of his plea, Hamilton agreed to forfeit various properties and significant amounts of Bitcoin and Ether. Co-creator Thomas Pavey has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Raheim Hamilton sentenced to 40 years for Empire Market dark web operations Raheim Hamilton, co-creator of the dark web marketplace Empire Market, received a 40-year prison sentence for operating a platform that processed over $430 million in illegal transactions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/raheim-hamilton-sentenced-to-40-years-for-empire-market-dark-web-operations ### 2026-10-09: Empire Market co-founder sentenced to 40 years in prison Empire Market co-founder Raheim Hamilton has been sentenced to 40 years in prison and ordered to forfeit 1,230 Bitcoin following the dark web marketplace's $430 million in illicit transactions. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/empire-market-co-founder-sentenced-to-40-years-in-prison --- Cite as: Empire Market dark web marketplace sentencing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/empire-market-dark-web-marketplace-sentencing