The Creation of Silk Road
In 2011, Ross Ulbricht launched Silk Road, a darknet marketplace accessible via the Tor network. Using Bitcoin for anonymous transactions, the site facilitated the sale of illegal goods and services. Ulbricht operated under the alias “Dread Pirate Roberts,” inspired by The Princess Bride.
The FBI’s Investigation
Authorities cracked Silk Road by tracking an early post by Ulbricht’s username “Altoid,” linking it to his email. In October 2013, the FBI arrested him in San Francisco’s Glen Park library. Agents distracted Ulbricht, securing his laptop to prevent data encryption.
Trial and Sentencing
In 2015, Ulbricht was convicted of charges including narcotics distribution and computer hacking. He received a double life sentence without parole, plus 40 years, and was fined $183 million. Allegations of murder-for-hire plots were presented but not formally charged.
Presidential Pardon
Ulbricht’s appeals failed, but his case became a rallying point for libertarian and cryptocurrency communities. On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon, fulfilling a campaign promise. The pardon reignited debates over digital privacy and criminal justice.
In 2011, Ross Ulbricht launched Silk Road, a darknet marketplace accessible via the Tor network. Using Bitcoin for anonymous transactions, the site facilitated the sale of illegal goods and services. Ulbricht operated under the alias Dread Pirate Roberts🧵👇. pic.twitter.com/ZquKagvBZA
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 22, 2025