October 29, 2025

The Honorable Pam Bondi
Attorney General of the United States
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Bondi,

I am writing to respectfully request your attention to the case of Conrad Rockinhouse, a disabled U.S. veteran and former operator of high-bandwidth Tor exit nodes, whose ongoing legal challenges raise concerns about potential overreach in the enforcement of his supervised release conditions. As a concerned citizen with an interest in digital privacy and fair justice, I urge your office to review Mr. Rockinhouse’s case for mitigating factors and consider alternative resolutions that prioritize rehabilitation over prolonged incarceration, and specifically leniency for his cannabis use for medical pain management as authorized by his doctor.

For context, in 2014, Mr. Rockinhouse, then an infrastructure architect for a travel booking company, was terminated and subsequently accessed systems without authorization, causing over $500,000 in damages through server crashes and physical tampering. He was not charged until 2019, just before the statute of limitations expired, leading to a guilty plea under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). He was sentenced to time served (approximately three years pretrial detention) plus three years of supervised release, with conditions including device monitoring and restitution obligations. His wife alleges the 2019 charges were retaliation for his refusal to assist the FBI in decrypting Tor traffic, a claim complicated by Tor’s technical design, which limits what node operators can decrypt.

Since 2022, Mr. Rockinhouse has faced multiple arrests for supervised release violations, including positive cannabis tests (November 2024 and August 2025), missed probation check-ins, possession of unmonitored devices (e.g., iPhones, one remotely erased), and unpaid restitution. His wife’s February 2025 complaint to the Eastern District of Michigan alleges probation officer misconduct, including illegal searches and harassment of their business, Cannabites LLC. Videos of his September 4, 2025, arrest show aggressive tactics, raising questions about procedural fairness. As a 100% disabled veteran with PTSD and chronic pain, Mr. Rockinhouse’s contributions to the Tor network underscore his commitment to digital privacy, yet his documented violations, including a coerced guilty plea (per his wife), suggest a complex case.

While full exoneration is unwarranted given his admitted guilt and non-compliance, I recommend the following balanced approach to address potential overreach while ensuring accountability:

1. Immediate Case Review: Direct the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan to review probation violations, incorporating the February 2025 complaint against the probation officer for bias and procedural irregularities. Reassigning supervision to a neutral officer trained in veteran affairs could restore fairness.
2. Alternative Sanctions: Convert further incarceration to community-based alternatives, such as electronic monitoring, mandatory counseling for substance use and PTSD (through VA programs), and a structured restitution plan tied to employment via Cannabites LLC. Incarceration hinders restitution, undermining the victim’s recovery.
3. Policy Consideration: Use this case to examine CFAA enforcement and supervised release conditions for tech-related offenses. Vague monitoring requirements and delayed prosecutions can chill legitimate privacy advocacy. Collaboration with groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation could inform reforms.

Mr. Rockinhouse’s case highlights the tension between personal accountability and systemic pressures on privacy advocates. A compassionate yet firm resolution would honor his veteran service, ensure public safety, and reinforce trust in the justice system. I respectfully request that your office acknowledge this letter and provide an update on any review initiated.

Thank you for your commitment to fair and effective justice.

Sincerely,

Jason Page