Jan 21, 2025
- Net worth
- Unknown
- Crimes
- drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering
- Convicted of
- Conspiracy to commit narcotics trafficking; conspiracy to commit computer hacking; conspiracy to commit money laundering; continuing criminal enterprise
- Original sentence
- Life imprisonment plus 40 years (May 29, 2015)
- Time served
- ~9 years before pardon
Background
Ross Ulbricht created and operated Silk Road, a dark web marketplace that used Bitcoin for transactions. He was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years.
The Case
Ulbricht was convicted of conspiracy to commit narcotics trafficking, computer hacking, money laundering, and continuing criminal enterprise. Prosecutors described Silk Road as a platform for drug sales and other illegal activity.
The Pardon
On January 21, 2025, President Trump granted Ulbricht a full pardon, commuting his life sentence.