Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the darknet marketplace Silk Road, announced today that he has completed ten years in prison.
In 2013, Ulbricht was arrested and subsequently sentenced to two life imprisonment terms for his role in creating and operating Silk Road, an online platform involved in illegal activities that resulted in the seizure of billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin.
Ross Ulbricht Takes Sole Responsibility for Silk Road
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 1, Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht discloses that today marks a complete decade in prison.
Ulbricht’s family is believed to have transcribed his thoughts, as he cannot access the internet in prison. In the post, he expresses his fears about the absence of any possibility of his eventual release from incarceration:
“One year for each finger on both hands. Today ends a full decade in prison. I sometimes fear I’ll spend the rest of my life behind concrete walls and locked doors.”
Supporters on X greeted him with an abundance of positive comments. Many implied that he has learned from the significant time he has already spent in prison.
“The punishment should match the crime, and the one you were given does not even come close to that,” one user stated. Another highlighted that individuals have been released from prison for far more substantial offenses:
“The punishment didn’t suit the crime and people who have done much worse have had a chance of redemption.”
In November 2020, the largest crypto seizure in history occurred as the US government announced the confiscation of more than $1 billion in Bitcoin and other cryptos from a Silk Road wallet.
Furthermore, in November 2021, the US government seized 50,676 Bitcoin from an American who pled guilty to stealing it from Silk Road in September 2012.
At the time of publication, Bitcoin’s price is $27,096. Subsequently, 50,676 Bitcoin amounts to approximately $1.47 billion.
Ulbricht’s Mother Affirms His Good Intentions
In October 2022, BeInCrypto conducted an exclusive interview with Ulbricht’s mother.
Lyn Ulbricht stresses that her son possessed good intentions. However, the Silk Road ultimately evolved into a hub for criminal activities.
“He wants to solve problems and to help make the world a better place, which is a lot of why he loves Bitcoin, because it opens up prosperity for people who can’t get a bank account and people. That’s his idealism.”
She further touched on how hard it is having her son in prison. “When your loved one is in prison, you’re also doing time,” She declared. Moreover, she explained that she has devoted her life’s purpose to pursuing his rescue:
“I’ll go on with my life, although much of it is devoted to trying to save him.”
Disclaimer
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