Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Sentenced to Life in Prison

[bryant.coleman]

The United states government likes to make an example out of these smart tech savvy kids. Federal prosecutors were really harsh with Aaron Swartz too.

This only happens in the United States and the European Union. Had Ross Ullbrich resided in either China or Russia, then the governments there would have asked him to join their cyber army, rather than locking him up for the rest of his life. What happened to Aaron Swartz was tragic. I hope that the people responsible for his death will die of cancer.

[n2004al]

Read this dialog:

Later that day, DPR messaged Nob.

DREAD:  ok, so can you change the order to execute rather than torture?

DREAD:  he was on the inside for a while, and now that he’s been arrested, I’m afraid he’ll give up info.

Of course, DPR was right that Green had been flipped—by the very same man he’d just hired as an assassin. It was a surprising escalation. The Silk Road leader, who waxed lyrical about “respecting” the Silk Road community, was now pondering pricing for murder.

DREAD:  never killed a man or had one killed before, but it is the right move in this case.

DREAD:  how much will it cost?

DREAD:  ballpark?

DREAD:  less than $100k?

DREAD:  have you killed or had someone killed before?

DPR is for Dread Pirate Roberts alias Ross Ulbright.

This dialog is taken from: The Untold Story of Silk Road. Who want to learn more can read here: http://www.wired.com/2015/04/silk-road-1/

In other words, Ross ask to someone to kill someone. Want to hire someone to kill someone. Paying for this.

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not? 

[gentlemand]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not? 

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

[funkenstein]

Read this dialog:

Later that day, DPR messaged Nob.

DREAD:  ok, so can you change the order to execute rather than torture?

[...]

This dialog is taken from: The Untold Story of Silk Road. Who want to learn more can read here: http://www.wired.com/2015/04/silk-road-1/

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not? 

Not enough.  To be misquoted or libeled in any advertisers fishwrap is surely grounds for execution. 

[n2004al]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not? 

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

It is true who must not be? I read it from several sources since the times when Ross Ulbricht was arrested. Nob has no one interests to lie. And cannot be proved differently as it is already. It was something between Ulbricht and Nob. And in such situation it is normal that be Nob to be credible and not Ulbrich (if he denied this thing). Nob have no reason to lie. Ulbricht is a criminal. It is normal that him deny everything against it (always if deny something). Who would be more credible for you?

[cjmoles]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not?  

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

It is true who must not be? I read it from several sources since the times when Ross Ulbricht was arrested. Nob has no one interests to lie. And cannot be proved differently as it is already. It was something between Ulbricht and Nob. And in such situation it is normal that be Nob to be credible and not Ulbrich (if he denied this thing). Nob have no reason to lie. Ulbricht is a criminal. It is normal that him deny everything against it (always if deny something). Who would be more credible for you?

DA's lie, cops lie, special agents lie....they all lie!  I don't believe none of them!  This whole thing was wrong from inception to outcome on all sides, period!

[n2004al]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not?  

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

It is true who must not be? I read it from several sources since the times when Ross Ulbricht was arrested. Nob has no one interests to lie. And cannot be proved differently as it is already. It was something between Ulbricht and Nob. And in such situation it is normal that be Nob to be credible and not Ulbrich (if he denied this thing). Nob have no reason to lie. Ulbricht is a criminal. It is normal that him deny everything against it (always if deny something). Who would be more credible for you?

DA's lie, cops lie, special agents lie....they all lie!  I don't believe none of them!  This whole thing was wrong from inception to outcome on all sides, period!

Lol. "Agree" with you. Only Ross Ulbricht don't lie. He is not guilty for everything and must go ahead with its wonderful and necessary former activity. In this way all the people will feel free from every kind of lie and cheat made from every USA Authority. Long live to Ross Ulbricht, long live to drugs and every kind of such things, long live to the american freedom which allow such very needed things for every person..  

[bryant.coleman]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not? 

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

They didn't pursed it because they knew that they will fail in it, as the charges and the evidence were all cooked up. It is not very difficult for the FBI to frame false evidence. They can just hack in to DPR's email account or chat account, and add whatever in the conversation history they want to add. This has happened in the past, and it will happen in the future as well.

[n2004al]

It is enough this that him be punished with lifetime in prison or not?  

It would be if he'd actually been tried for it and it had been proven. It didn't come up in the case at all. I've no idea what the truth is regarding that area but it seems a little strange that they didn't pursue it. Perhaps they felt they already had enough.

They didn't pursed it because they knew that they will fail in it, as the charges and the evidence were all cooked up. It is not very difficult for the FBI to frame false evidence. They can just hack in to DPR's email account or chat account, and add whatever in the conversation history they want to add. This has happened in the past, and it will happen in the future as well.

Bryant, I don't want to be polemic with you. This post is only to satisfy one my simple curiosity. And maybe to understand more. Maybe all you write is correct. I cannot know the right about this question. The only thing that is sure in this story (and no one from both us can deny) is that Ross Ulbricht is a person who had created and owned the most profitable platform to hold the most enormous market of illegal things (dangerous things for the people) in the USA in which were moved millions of us dollars. Him's activity helped essentially (in the meaning that without it everything was impossible to exist) this market which create disease and distress in thousand and thousand (maybe more) people. I have only a question: Why FBI can make such thing mentioned by you in your post if only the above things mentioned by me in this post are enough to condemn Ross Ulbricht lifetime in prison? Why needed such invention, such action from FBI?

[bryant.coleman]

Bryant, I don't want to be polemic with you. This post is only to satisfy one my simple curiosity. And maybe to understand more. Maybe all you write is correct. I cannot know the right about this question. The only thing that is sure in this story (and no one from both us can deny) is that Ross Ulbricht is a person who had created and owned the most profitable platform to hold the most enormous market of illegal things (dangerous things for the people) in the USA in which were moved millions of us dollars.

Ross Ullbrich profited from his activity, to some extent. He received tens of thousands of Bitcoins as fee, but he didn't converted any of that to fiat. Yes. Trading of drugs are illegal in the United States. But drug legalization is spreading all over the world. Portugal and Uruguay have legalized all forms of recreational drugs.

Him's activity helped essentially (in the meaning that without it everything was impossible to exist) this market which create disease and distress in thousand and thousand (maybe more) people. I have only a question: Why FBI can make such thing mentioned by you in your post if only the above things mentioned by me in this post are enough to condemn Ross Ulbricht lifetime in prison? Why needed such invention, such action from FBI?

The FBI want to scare away all future online drug marketeers. So they made an example out of Ross.

[n2004al]

Bryant, I don't want to be polemic with you. This post is only to satisfy one my simple curiosity. And maybe to understand more. Maybe all you write is correct. I cannot know the right about this question. The only thing that is sure in this story (and no one from both us can deny) is that Ross Ulbricht is a person who had created and owned the most profitable platform to hold the most enormous market of illegal things (dangerous things for the people) in the USA in which were moved millions of us dollars.

Ross Ullbrich profited from his activity, to some extent. He received tens of thousands of Bitcoins as fee, but he didn't converted any of that to fiat. Yes. Trading of drugs are illegal in the United States. But drug legalization is spreading all over the world. Portugal and Uruguay have legalized all forms of recreational drugs.

Him's activity helped essentially (in the meaning that without it everything was impossible to exist) this market which create disease and distress in thousand and thousand (maybe more) people. I have only a question: Why FBI can make such thing mentioned by you in your post if only the above things mentioned by me in this post are enough to condemn Ross Ulbricht lifetime in prison? Why needed such invention, such action from FBI?

The FBI want to scare away all future online drug marketeers. So they made an example out of Ross.

From your answer I see that we think very differently but yet i will give my point of view. Even I understand that it will be not accepted at all from you.

First, this links tell me other things about the legalization of drugs in Portugal. Maybe it is not updated.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_Portugal

Second, remain only Uruguay. As about for me this example is not a spread of legalization of drugs but only a limitation of spread of legalization of drugs. Uruguay is only one country. But even if it would be another one or even other ten others, for me is again a limitation and not a spread. Are more than 200 the countries in the world and are not 1 or 2 or 10 of those which can serve as example.

I think that needed much more to call the example of this country (or 10 countries) about drug policies as a spread of legalization. And to tell the right, for me, Uruguay cannot be example for anything even if there can be something to take from this country. That something to take, if exist, I think that can be found much more better to be taken in some other country. If for you this country is source of inspiration we are very away from each other in understanding, interpreting and doing things.

Third, but let's discuss about another things. The fact that drugs do well or do bad. Independently from the spread of legalization or other lateral things correlated with this product, the drug do bad or do good? This is the essence of the problem with Ross Ulbricht. If we accept that the drug do bad (and the legalization may be forced to not make possible and prevent the more bad which can be made from being illegal of it) then the earnings of Ross Ulbright (even if not used) are (must be) punishable. If not used that does not mean that he had earned that money only to see the grow of the amount. One day he would spent that money (if not all, part of those). If we don't agree in this point the go forward is in vain and I will stop here.

If will agree in this point, then this activity can be enough to punish Ulbricht lifetime in prison for the amount of the bad make with him's help. Which was not a lateral but basic help. Without this help anything would be possible. He offer basic help in (repeat) the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad. Have nothing to do here the spread of legalization of the drugs (even if it will be so). We are speaking about a fact. Repeat: He offer basic help in the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad.

If so, what more has added on him's punishment the invention pretended by you and made from FBI? This invention has added nothing to the punishment of Ross Ulbricht to make more fear to the "all future online drug marketeers"? Lifetime prison for Ulbricht was and lifetime prison for Ulbricht remain even after the pretended invention of FBI. Where is the value of this act?

As I told in the beginning of this post I have doubt that you will find correct my reasoning because I see from your answer that we think differently. But I am curious to have your answer to my this post (if you find opportune to do this). Naturally without repeating the same things because it will be in vain to write again the same things.

[bryant.coleman]

If will agree in this point, then this activity can be enough to punish Ulbricht lifetime in prison for the amount of the bad make with him's help. Which was not a lateral but basic help. Without this help anything would be possible. He offer basic help in (repeat) the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad. Have nothing to do here the spread of legalization of the drugs (even if it will be so). We are speaking about a fact. Repeat: He offer basic help in the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad.

Could you please stop spreading around this BS? How did he caused "disease and distress" to "thousands and thousands" of people? Did he personally infected thousands of people with HIV or some other deadly disease? IMO, he prevented hundreds of deaths, by providing pure drugs devoid of any toxins or additives. Also, he prevented a lot of deaths and injuries as there was no need for the drug users to go to crime infested ghettos to get their daily doze of weed or cocaine.

[n2004al]

If will agree in this point, then this activity can be enough to punish Ulbricht lifetime in prison for the amount of the bad make with him's help. Which was not a lateral but basic help. Without this help anything would be possible. He offer basic help in (repeat) the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad. Have nothing to do here the spread of legalization of the drugs (even if it will be so). We are speaking about a fact. Repeat: He offer basic help in the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad.

Could you please stop spreading around this BS? How did he caused "disease and distress" to "thousands and thousands" of people? Did he personally infected thousands of people with HIV or some other deadly disease? IMO, he prevented hundreds of deaths, by providing pure drugs devoid of any toxins or additives. Also, he prevented a lot of deaths and injuries as there was no need for the drug users to go to crime infested ghettos to get their daily doze of weed or cocaine.

Good. It was almost the kind of answer I expected. I'm sorry for you but, if it will be again the case to speak about this kind of enormous criminal, I will continue to tell my "BS" because, as for me, he is not at all the savior of humanity like you tell or pretend but a cruel payer of potential killers which is ready to kill everyone who put in risk him's illegal life and him's illegal source of dirty money which caused not only disease and distress but even death. At least according to the facts which condemned him with lifetime prison.

You can continue without any problem him's protection because there is not even the minimum problem for me (like there are my position and my thoughts about him for you) if you express anywhere and anytime your thoughts about him. I have not again any problem even if you speak and protect with your arguments, not only the spread of free pure drugs in all the world (like it is in Uruguay) but even the use of those (with the condition to be pure) by everyone.

[hdbuck]

If will agree in this point, then this activity can be enough to punish Ulbricht lifetime in prison for the amount of the bad make with him's help. Which was not a lateral but basic help. Without this help anything would be possible. He offer basic help in (repeat) the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad. Have nothing to do here the spread of legalization of the drugs (even if it will be so). We are speaking about a fact. Repeat: He offer basic help in the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad.

Could you please stop spreading around this BS? How did he caused "disease and distress" to "thousands and thousands" of people? Did he personally infected thousands of people with HIV or some other deadly disease? IMO, he prevented hundreds of deaths, by providing pure drugs devoid of any toxins or additives. Also, he prevented a lot of deaths and injuries as there was no need for the drug users to go to crime infested ghettos to get their daily doze of weed or cocaine.

Good. It was almost the kind of answer I expected. I'm sorry for you but, if it will be again the case to speak about this kind of enormous criminal, I will continue to tell my "BS" because, as for me, he is mot at all the savior of humanity like you tell or pretend but a cruel payer of potential killers which is ready to kill everyone who put in risk him's illegal life and him's illegal source of dirty money which caused not only disease and distress but even death. At least according to the facts which condemned him with lifetime prison.

You can continue without any problem him's protection because there is not even the minimum problem for me (like there are my position and my thoughts about him for you) if you express anywhere and anytime your thoughts about him. I have not again any problem even if you speak and protect with your arguments, not only the spread of free pure drugs in all the world (like it is in Uruguay) but even the use of those (with the condition to be pure) by everyone.

yea, i agree, death and drug trafficking should stay within USG's scope of action.. ^^

[BitmoreCoin]

If will agree in this point, then this activity can be enough to punish Ulbricht lifetime in prison for the amount of the bad make with him's help. Which was not a lateral but basic help. Without this help anything would be possible. He offer basic help in (repeat) the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad. Have nothing to do here the spread of legalization of the drugs (even if it will be so). We are speaking about a fact. Repeat: He offer basic help in the disease and distress of thousand and thousand people and for more, even earn money doing this bad.

What Ulbricht provide is a market for trading so called illegal drugs and other goods. If those goods are traded in a face to fact manner, then there will be more gun battle between drug traders and will waste a lot of police time.

[LondonTrader]

Hi

I found ulbricht's sentence far too harsh, maybe he should have got 5 years in jail as he did profit in some way.

Bye

[gentlemand]

What Ulbricht provide is a market for trading so called illegal drugs and other goods. If those goods are traded in a face to fact manner, then there will be more gun battle between drug traders and will waste a lot of police time.

Anything that facilitates drug sales feeds the violence further up the food chain. If SR had been linking drug makers directly to consumers with none of filth in between then it would be a noble endeavour. I'm sure it did in certain cases but it was still responsible for plenty of misery.

[Eastman]

Good riddance   

[cjmoles]

This is my only concern with some of the arguments here.

First off let me make clear that I believe that there are many illicit drugs that are detrimental to society's well being; however, that's not the question that needs to be argued in this case.  The question should be, were Ulbricht's actions such that he should be held accountable for the production, transportation, and consumption of those illicit products?  If so, shouldn't we also go after internet providers, phone companies, couriers...etc.  Where does the line get crossed?  Should we blame the guy who patented the postage stamp because he helped facilitate the delivery of illegal goods?  I'd have to say no....the line was crossed by holding Ulbricht to such a high degree of culpability in this case.

Justice needs to be re-thought here.

[gentlemand]

He was directly participating in drug deals by escrowing and actively creating and hosting a community explicitly for that purpose.

That's a long old way from just providing a neutral platform that's used for nefarious reasons. Openbazaar will no doubt have a druggy section. Its creators won't be culpable because all they're doing is providing software that they have no control over.

The creator of Bittorrent has never been charged for anything because he hasn't done anything wrong. It's the users who are breaking laws.