Ulbricht was given two life sentences, plus 40 years for running the site, which allegedly facilitated $183m in drug sales
By Kehinde Okeowo
Newly inaugurated United States President, Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned American libertarian best known for founding and operating “Silk Road”, Ross Ulbricht.
Forty-year-old Ulbricht was arrested back in 2013 and sentenced two years later.
He was convicted of seven counts relating to his operation of Silk Road, which facilitated the sale of illegal drugs and other illicit goods using Bitcoin, including distributing narcotics and engaging in a criminal enterprise.
US prosecutors alleged that the site was used to facilitate more than 1.5 million transactions worth approximately $213m, including more than $183m in drug sales.
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However, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said:
“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!
Trump went on to state that Ulbricht’s pardon was “full and unconditional.”
He added that he even called Ulbricht’s mother to break the news to her on Tuesday.
