Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, has been transferred to the medium-security federal prison in Victorville, California—one of the most violent correctional facilities in the state—according to inmate records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The prison, commonly referred to by inmates as “Victimville,” is located in the Mojave Desert, about two hours northeast of Los Angeles. It has a longstanding reputation for violence, overcrowding, and internal gang conflict, making it an unexpected and harsh new home for the 32-year-old former billionaire.
Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history, was previously held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. He was briefly processed through the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City before arriving at Victorville Medium II FCI earlier this week.
His legal team had requested that he remain closer to New York to assist with his pending appeal. That request was denied, and the transfer proceeded as scheduled under standard Bureau of Prisons policy.
The Victorville facility houses more than 1,200 inmates and has been the site of multiple reported stabbings, lockdowns, and internal investigations in recent years. The prison’s violent reputation has raised concerns among observers given Bankman-Fried’s profile and nonviolent offender status.
Inside ‘Victimville’: SBF Faces Life in One of America’s Toughest Prisons
Sam Bankman-Fried’s new residence at FCI Victorville Medium II is drawing attention not just for his high-profile conviction, but for the notoriety of the prison itself—one of California’s most violent and racially segregated federal facilities.
Known informally among inmates as “Victimville,” Victorville has developed a harsh reputation in online prison forums and firsthand accounts. According to several sources familiar with the facility, inmates are expected to join racially based “cars”—a term used in prison slang to describe protective groups formed around race, geography, or gang affiliation. Failure to affiliate often leads to vulnerability and increased risk of violence.
“Inmates must be part of a racially-oriented car to stay safe,” one respondent wrote. Another added, “Fights are regular, and stabbings are not uncommon,” describing the prison as a hyper-political yard where alliances are not optional but essential.
The facility has seen its share of headline-grabbing violence. In 2013, an inmate was beaten to death by three others who were later convicted of second-degree murder. In 2017, a prisoner attacked the warden with a shank, causing severe injuries that required over 80 staples to treat. Multiple other assaults on correctional officers occurred that same year.
The Bureau of Prisons has not publicly commented on the decision to place Bankman-Fried in Victorville, but the move comes despite his legal team’s efforts to keep him in New York to assist with appeal coordination. Instead, the FTX founder now finds himself adjusting to a starkly different world—one where survival can depend more on affiliation than affluence.
Background on Conviction and Sentencing
In March 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors detailed how he misappropriated billions of dollars from FTX customers, leading to the platform’s collapse in November 2022.
The case has been a focal point in discussions about cryptocurrency regulation and the need for oversight in digital asset markets. Bankman-Fried’s high-profile downfall has prompted calls for stricter controls to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Bankman-Fried has filed an appeal against his conviction, citing alleged judicial bias and limitations in accessing evidence during his trial. His legal team continues to pursue avenues to overturn the verdict, though the transfer to California may pose logistical challenges for their efforts.
Public opinion remains divided, with some viewing the transfer as a standard procedural move, while others interpret it as a setback for his appeal process. The case continues to draw attention to the complexities of prosecuting financial crimes in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
Quick Facts
- Sam Bankman-Fried has been moved from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center to a federal prison in Victorville, California.
- The transfer occurred despite his legal team’s request for him to remain in New York during his appeal.
- Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year sentence for defrauding FTX customers and investors.
- His appeal cites judicial bias and challenges in accessing trial evidence.
