Wed Jan 22 20:02:31 UTC 2025: ## Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht After Life Sentence

**New York, NY –** Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the infamous dark web marketplace Silk Road, has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by former President Donald Trump. Ulbricht, 39, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2015 for his role in operating the site, which facilitated the sale of illegal drugs, stolen passports, and hacking equipment using Bitcoin.

The decision, announced on the second day of Trump’s presidency, has sparked immediate controversy. Ulbricht was found guilty of running a sophisticated criminal enterprise that generated over $200 million in sales and was linked to at least six overdose deaths. These included the deaths of a 27-year-old Microsoft employee and two 16-year-old boys who purchased lethal drugs via the platform.

Prosecutors argued that Ulbricht, known online as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” not only profited from the illegal activities on Silk Road but also solicited six murders-for-hire, although these allegations were never proven in court. While Ulbricht expressed remorse after his sentencing, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York at the time, Preet Bharara, described him as a “drug dealer and criminal profiteer.”

Trump’s justification for the pardon cited his own experiences with what he termed the “weaponization of government,” claiming those involved in Ulbricht’s conviction were “lunatics.” He reportedly called Ulbricht’s mother to deliver the news personally.

Ulbricht’s supporters have long campaigned for his release, arguing that he was a young entrepreneur who made mistakes and has since shown remorse. His former employee, who was allegedly targeted for murder-for-hire, also voiced support for Ulbricht, stating he did not believe him to be dangerous.

The pardon marks a dramatic end to a case that captivated the public and highlighted the challenges of policing the dark web and the anonymity afforded by cryptocurrencies. The long-term implications of this decision and its potential impact on future dark web investigations remain to be seen.

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