Ross Ulbricht, Silk Road creator, released after presidential pardon
Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the notorious darknet marketplace Silk Road, was released from prison last week following a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Known online as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” Ulbricht had been serving two life sentences plus 40 years without parole for his role in operating the platform between 2011 and 2013.
"It was my pleasure to sign a full and unconditional pardon for Ross Ulbricht, in honor of his mother and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Silk Road and Ulbricht’s conviction
Ulbricht’s 2015 conviction stemmed from charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking. The Silk Road marketplace, an early adopter of Bitcoin for transactions, facilitated the sale of drugs and other illicit goods, generating an estimated $183 million in revenue.
Libertarian support and calls for clemency
The pardon was widely celebrated by Libertarians, cryptocurrency advocates, and politicians like Senator Rand Paul, who had long argued for clemency. Paul called Ulbricht’s sentence excessive, emphasizing its non-violent nature and the need for criminal justice reform.
"Our system should focus on violent offenders, not non-violent entrepreneurs like Ross Ulbricht," Paul said.
However, prosecutors highlighted his role as the platform’s creator and evidence suggesting he ordered contract killings to justify the sentence. Circuit Judge Gerard Lynch, who denied Ulbricht’s 2017 appeal, noted that the Silk Road founder profited from every transaction and facilitated crimes at an unprecedented scale.
The Free Ross campaign, led by Ulbricht’s family, described him as a remorseful entrepreneur who learned his lesson and deserved a second chance.
Ulbricht’s release and next steps
Images of a smiling Ulbricht leaving prison are already circulating online and his family has updated their campaign website with a message confirming the release:
“Ross Ulbricht is Free!!! Our immense gratitude to President Trump and everyone who supported us over the years. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!!!”
The family is now seeking donations to support his reintegration, accepting contributions via PayPal and cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
