WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has issued a pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road website, who had been serving a life sentence without parole.
Ulbricht, a University of Texas at Dallas alumnus, was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the underground drug marketplace.
Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 for his role in operating the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace that facilitated the sale of illegal drugs and other illicit activities.
Launched in 2011, Silk Road was operated by Ulbricht under the pseudonym “Dread Pirate Roberts” and became one of the most prominent illegal online marketplaces.
It utilized Bitcoin as a primary currency and drew significant attention from law enforcement due to its scale and sophistication.
Ulbricht’s arrest in 2013 led to a high-profile trial, where he was convicted on charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering, narcotics trafficking, and computer hacking.
His two life sentences plus 40 years without the possibility of parole sparked debate, with critics arguing the punishment was excessive for a non-violent crime.
