Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the dark web marketplace “Silk Road,” has been released from prison after receiving a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump.
Ulbricht was arrested under the Obama administration and convicted in 2015.
He was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole for his role in the creation of Silk Road.
The dark web operation was an online marketplace where people could buy and sell illicit goods and services using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
However, many have long argued that Ulbricht’s sentence was too extreme and campaigners have been pushing for his release since.
In announcing his decision, Trump described the prosecutors who pursued the case as “scum” and likened them to the operatives behind the lawfare attacks the president has faced himself.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged that Ulbricht’s sentence was excessive.
“I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbright to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,” Trump wrote.
“The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me.
”He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”
President Trump gave a full & unconditional pardon to Ross Ulbricht.
This was a major promise 47 made on the campaign trail.
Thank you to every Libertarian — thank you to every Bitcoin & cryptocurrency supporter that took a chance on Trump.
Happy New Year, Ross. pic.twitter.com/GheJg6ganG
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) January 22, 2025
Libertarian activists have long criticized Ulbricht’s sentence.
Many believe that he was excessively punished for crimes in which he had no direct involvement.
Among those who had lobbied for Trump to give Ross a pardon were Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
Both Republican lawmakers celebrated Trump’s decision to free him from prison.
I’m sending @POTUS a letter today asking him to do the right thing and free @RealRossU! pic.twitter.com/yrc3zPx9Nt
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 21, 2025
First launched in 2011 by Ulbricht under the pseudonym “Dread Pirate Roberts,” Silk Road facilitated the sale of illegal goods, primarily drugs, using Bitcoin as its primary currency.
In 2013, the FBI shut it down, arresting Ulbricht, who was convicted of several charges, including money laundering, conspiracy to traffic narcotics, and hacking.
The FBI’s official website says Silk Road generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and more than $13 million worth of Bitcoin in commissions.
On November 3, 2020, officials claimed they had seized over $1 billion worth of digital currency stemming from the dark web page.
The case also revealed that thousands of users, including those from Ukraine, Argentina, and even Australia, used the website.
Despite creating the platform, it’s believed that Ulbricht didn’t have much involvement in the running of Silk Road.
Ulbricht has often been described as the “fall guy” for other individuals who controlled the platform.
Through his family, Ulbricht would often post on his X account.
expressing hope that he one day be released and describing the challenges of day-to-day prison life.
This year for Christmas, we were given some milk and cookies.
It's not as good as being home with family but it did help make things a little more cheerful in here.
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) December 28, 2024
The campaign to free Ulbricht has been popular and longstanding.
During his court case over a decade ago, demonstrators took to the streets of Manhattan to protest over his arrest and sentencing.
Signs such as “30 years for an honest website?” and “Free Ross” were often used by groups such as the Libertarian Party to call for Ulbricht’s release.
These campaigners said the case was an example of government overreach.
Trump first hinted at a potential pardon for Ulbricht during a speech last year at the Libertarian National Convention.
Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian National Committee said: “Ross Ulbricht has been a libertarian political prisoner for more than a decade.
“I’m proud to say that saving his life has been one of our top priorities and that has finally paid off.”
Republican congressman and key Trump ally Thomas Massie also said he was grateful for Trump “keeping his word.”
Ross Ulbricht has been freed by President Trump with a full pardon! Thank you for keeping your word to me and others who have been advocating for Ross’ freedom, Mr. President! #freeRoss pic.twitter.com/wOJVFX1DaA
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 22, 2025
On Tuesday night, Ulbricht was released from the Arizona prison where he was being held.
BREAKING: Here's the first image of Ross Ulbricht leaving prison as a free man 🧡 pic.twitter.com/j2vYeypmDs
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 22, 2025
Despite being handed down the maximum sentence and painted as a criminal mastermind by prosecutors, those who knew Ulbricht have long disputed this image.
He was in Sydney, Australia when Silk Road was active, with his friends saying he was simply a programmer.
Ulbricht managed to keep his side hustle private until the FBI managed to link his laptop and accounts to the online pseudonym Dread Pirate Roberts.
He even kept it quiet from those who he lived with for six months in a house share at Bondi Beach.
A friend said he was left “absolutely gobsmacked” after learning of Ulbricht’s double life.
“He’s the nicest guy,” they added.
“He said he was a programmer consulting in projects and you could do it from anywhere on the road on laptops.
“I’m totally spun out.”
Ulbricht has always maintained he never wanted or planned for the website to grow into the hotbed of crime it became.
He has held onto his innocence and continues to say he never sold illicit drugs or passports himself.
In a statement from prison from 2021 he said:
“I was trying to help us move toward a freer and more equitable world.
“We all know the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and now here I am. I’m in hell.”
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