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Bitcoin: A Practical Primer for Probation and Parole Officers
SESSION INFO
Monday, March 2, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Session Type: Workshop
This session will provide practical literacy for probation and parole officers who may encounter Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their caseloads. While fraud, gambling, and illicit transactions are not new, the technology of money is changing. So are the tools for detecting and responding to these crimes. Probation and parole professionals are not required to be experts in all new technology, but they may have to work with those who are, and officers should be able to report before the court with both confidence and credibility when a case involves a cryptocurrency. This session combines both the perspectives of a probation officer with field experience and a blockchain forensic specialist and would benefit anyone looking to build actionable knowledge for the field or a unique training to share with peers at home.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Victor Berardi
Probation Officer, MA Probation Service/MA Trial Court/Office of Commissioner of Probation
Victor Berardi is a Probation Officer with the Massachusetts Trial Court from Lowell, MA, where he focuses on reducing crime recidivism through compassionate case management and collaborating with law enforcement and other community support agencies. Before joining probation in 2022, Victor spent over six years as a Social Worker with the Department of Children and Families, promoting stability and safety for children in foster care. A lifelong learner fascinated by systems that shape human behavior, Victor developed a passion for Bitcoin for its blend of technology and community building. He views it not just as a financial tool but as a grassroots movement challenging what we see as money, and most importantly unlike earlier attempts at digital money this one has a chance to persist. He holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and previously presented at the 2025 APPA Winter Training Institute on integrating social work principles into probation supervision.
Bob Hutt
Cryptocurrency Investigator, TRM Labs
Bob Hutt is a Deployment Strategist/Instructor/Investigator at TRM Labs supporting North American state and local law enforcement and regulators. A 27-year military, intelligence community, and HSI veteran, he specialized in reconnaissance, surveillance, counterterrorism, SIGINT, and financial crime. His passion is turning crypto beginners into advanced investigators.
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