So from what I read about the story, using localbitcoins is basically illegal by default? I have no way of knowing what my buyer is going to spend coins on. This is absurd! And why don't they prosecute banks for doing the exact same thing. What is the difference between this guy and getting money from an atm? The whole case is just so weird. And it makes me a little paranoid about using bitcoins! Is the nsa tracking me now because I hold some pennies in crypto? Spooky.
AFAIK they will only get you if they tell you they will do something illegal. Like you sell to them and they tell you it is for drugs. If that happens then cancel the transaction because they are under cover agents.
The Burt case is a little different, where his money was seized. I don't really understand the law, but basically if you have any money on you, of any amount, cops can just steal it because they "suspect" that you are going to use it for something bad. They can do this without due processes. So if you use lbc, be careful to not carry lots of cash. You may want to use electronic transfer methods in stead of physical cash. I think the laws are vague, so basically if the gov wants to screw you then they can, and you can't do anything about it.