Althouse: "I was doing life without parole."

January 24, 2025

"I was doing life without parole."

pic.twitter.com/pbqRh9spnk
— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) January 24, 2025

58 comments:

Earnest Prole said...: Mama tried.; 1/24/25, 8:34 AM
john mosby said...: No one could steer him right, but Mama tried, Mama tried….

JSM; 1/24/25, 8:34 AM
john mosby said...: Argh, Prole, you beat me!; 1/24/25, 8:34 AM
Dave Begley said...: Who is this guy? What was he sentenced for?; 1/24/25, 8:40 AM
RideSpaceMountain said...: "Who is this guy? What was he sentenced for?

"Conspiracy to commit..."

You gotta love "conspiracy to commit..." convictions out of the New York courts. I'm sure as far as they're concerned, there's no crime that isn't a conspiracy.; 1/24/25, 8:43 AM
Kate said...: I'm glad he's out. And I'm glad Trump listened to a constituency, and then fulfilled his promise.; 1/24/25, 8:44 AM
Peachy said...: This guy created a web-site called Silk Road. Supposedly "dark web" - whatever that means.
Drug deals took place. Not his drug deals.
The drug dealers got LESS time that this Ulrich.; 1/24/25, 8:48 AM
Wince said...: What strikes me are these public service types that mete out these draconian sentences. They are the ones who should listen to that desiccated lefty bishop sermonize about "mercy."; 1/24/25, 8:50 AM
Peachy said...: Silk Road allowed people to trade anonymously
Drugs and illegal services were sold. Ulbricht never sold any drugs.

The double life sentence was extreme. But that's how Soviet Courts roll.
the Libertarian community was horrified and pissed.

this is a middle finger to the authoritarian Soviet Democrats... who love to shovel out harsh punishments and let the actual criminals off the hook.; 1/24/25, 8:56 AM
Howard said...: Thanks, April. That clears up a lot.; 1/24/25, 9:06 AM
Howard said...: I admire the early term pardon fest. It shows that you're not afraid to defend your choices throughout your term rather than wait until the last minute right before you get out of town.; 1/24/25, 9:09 AM
Money Manger said...: Be honest with yourself. Not even knowing who this guy is, would your empathy while watching be the same if he was, say, a scruffy black guy.; 1/24/25, 9:19 AM
RCOCEAN II said...: From what I've read this guy deserved to be sent to jail. He committed fraud/drug crimes and seems to be involved in some sort of crazy scheme to murder some of critics. But that was never brought up in court. In any case, life in prison without parole was insane. It shouldn't even be possible for non-violent crimes, except treason and spying.

Again, Trump the only decent man in DC.; 1/24/25, 9:25 AM
RCOCEAN II said...: We have to do something about our broken justice system whereby killers can get sentenced to a couple years in prison, while non-violent offenders get life in prison without parole. This is justice in an Insane Asylum.; 1/24/25, 9:27 AM
The Vault Dweller said...: That's true and it also gives the American people a chance to check possible excesses.; 1/24/25, 9:31 AM
RideSpaceMountain said...: "rather than wait until the last minute right before you get out of town."

Oh he'll do that too Howard, and I can't wait. New rules and all.

Shock and awe in the beginning
Shock and awe before he's done
Shock and awe when there's no crime
When shock and awe is on the menu
You'll be shocked and awed at anytime!; 1/24/25, 9:32 AM
RCOCEAN II said...: No one was actually killed by Ultrich. The charge is he asked others to murder some of former employees for various sums, one was for $40 thousand. So, again the life imprisonment was insane!; 1/24/25, 9:34 AM
Enigma said...: I saw this type of case when a local court was seating a jury. Some guy stood outside a mini-market with a ski mask and shotgun. Someone called the police and he got arrested. I think he pleaded innocent on the grounds that he had second thoughts; one prospective juror said "These conspiracy cases are bullsh*t" and got thrown off.; 1/24/25, 9:38 AM
Rocketeer said...: Yes.; 1/24/25, 9:39 AM
rehajm said...: The assumption in the question that we’d all be bigoted is bigoted…; 1/24/25, 9:46 AM
Freder Frederson said...: You forgot to mention that some of these "illegal services" included murder for hire.

Yes, life without parole was excessive (as you all know, I am opposed to life without parole), but to downplay the crimes of this criminal is disgusting.

Just a few weeks ago you were all complaining about a two tiered justice system. Apparently, Tech Bros (and the Trump family) are an exception.

And if Trump thought the punishment was excessive, he could have commuted it, instead of offering a full pardon (not that you or Althouse care about the difference). Part of the pardon process is that the recipients are supposed to show some contrition. That was completely lacking in this case.; 1/24/25, 9:50 AM
Freder Frederson said...: That's true and it also gives the American people a chance to check possible excesses.

And how, exactly, is that supposed to work?; 1/24/25, 9:51 AM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Oh, this is that guy I've been hearing so much in the news about. His crime was that he created something criminals exploited. Couldn't that frame be used to put away the creators of Uber? That platform is used for the transportation of all kinds of illicit things. I'm just calling it like I see it.... without insight knowledge btw. Just so we are clear.; 1/24/25, 9:52 AM
Patrick said...: I'm glad he is out but I think he did about the right amount of prison time. He did try to have a guy killed.; 1/24/25, 9:53 AM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: "I see it" in the vertical realm of my peripheral vision. Literally.; 1/24/25, 9:54 AM
CJinPA said...: "And if Trump thought the punishment was excessive, he could have commuted it, instead of offering a full pardon...Part of the pardon process is that the recipients are supposed to show some contrition. That was completely lacking in this case."

This seems like a good point. I kept waiting for acknowledgement that he did something wrong, but it never came. To be fair, he did say he would address other issues in the future. But I expected some kind of nod toward his own responsibility.; 1/24/25, 10:16 AM
rehajm said...: The fact lefties show up to denounce the pardon is as good as an endorsement that the sentence was politically motivated. I’d also like to know if anyone was murdered as a result of the postings or does the mere existence of the posts justify the same sentence as an actual murder? Perhaps no matter but the episode creates an opportunity to continue the debate about platform vs content provider. I suspect the usual suspects will decline the opportunity…; 1/24/25, 10:19 AM
Leland said...: Let me know when Hunter acknowledges that he did something wrong. He received a full pardon for all crimes over a decade of time.; 1/24/25, 10:36 AM
Old and slow said...: The day after his release a bitcoin wallet that had been dormant for 13 years was used again. The wallet contained 6800 Bitcoin that were worth about 90 cents each 13 years ago. Current value is around $700,000,000. Interesting coincidence.; 1/24/25, 10:53 AM
Kakistocracy said...: What happened to the seized bitcoins which today would have a market value of $17bn?; 1/24/25, 11:04 AM
tommyesq said...: There have been instances of people hiring hitmen on Craigslist - should its founders be jailed for life too?; 1/24/25, 11:06 AM
Howard said...: Mid-term elections will judge the popularity of Trump's presidency.; 1/24/25, 11:16 AM
Ice Nine said...: The murder-for-hire charge was only alleged and never proven. People who have analyzed this have shown that the "Dread Pirate Roberts" handle that Ulbricht used had itself been, well, pirated for use by others. He was never tried or convicted of such a charge but the evil Judge Katherine B. Forrest based her sentence in part on that claim!

She quite proudly stated that she gave him this unconscionably draconian sentence to teach other potential miscreants a lesson. Two life imprisonment terms plus 40 years one one guy to teach others a lesson! Unbelievable. Judge Katherine B. Forrest should be imprisoned for that.; 1/24/25, 11:19 AM
Old and slow said...: I would also like to know this.; 1/24/25, 11:23 AM
The Vault Dweller said...: Mid-term elections will judge the popularity of Trump's presidency.

Not just that, but Trump's instantaneously measured political power is directly tied to how much and how widely liked he is at the moment. When Republican members of Congress express hesitancy about a Trump policy or nomination, a popular Trump has much more persuasive power than an unpopular one. This isn't just uniquely true for Trump but for all politicians. I wouldn't be surprised if Trump will still have more rallies even though he doesn't have to run anymore because this directly affects his political power. I suspect FDR also viewed his Fireside chats as increasing his instantaneous political power.; 1/24/25, 11:26 AM
Mary Beth said...: Ross Ulbricht. He created the Silk Road online marketplace on Tor. The marketplace was designed to avoid government oversight. It was used to sell narcotics. I'm sure it was also used by people who just wanted privacy from the government, but the narcotics was the excuse to start raiding The government shut it down and seized millions of dollars worth of bitcoin from Ulbricht.

Instagram, Facebook, Discord and other platforms are used for CSA. The creators of those aren't being sentenced to two life sentences. It seems the "avoiding government oversight" is the part that got law enforcement acting.

Trump promised Libertarians that he would pardon Ulbricht. He kept his promise.; 1/24/25, 11:27 AM
Peachy said...: Freder - Ulbricht did not hire murderers.

He spent 11 years in prison for creating the platform. Tell us - leftist Hivemind Loyalist Freder - what would have been an appropriate time in prison?; 1/24/25, 11:43 AM
Peachy said...: Freder - you need to explain your threats and accusations regarding Trump's family. You are like every other brain-dead hiveminder - in that you assume his very existence is illegal.; 1/24/25, 11:45 AM
Peachy said...: Again people- this was about the severity of the sentence. 2 consecutive life terms?
Really?; 1/24/25, 11:46 AM
Peachy said...: Freder - tell us about the hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage by Antifa and BLM - that was supported and sanctioned by the de-fund the police left?

Kamala still has her Request to please send $$$ to spring leftist arsonists out of jail - up.; 1/24/25, 11:58 AM
Eva Marie said...: What happened to the seized bitcoins which today would have a market value of $17bn?
Why do you think he’s smiling?; 1/24/25, 12:16 PM
Enigma said...: $17B in seized Bitcoins and $5 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.; 1/24/25, 12:18 PM
Leland said...: One thing Democrats and progressives will learn, because they have yet to figure it out. They whatever moral high ground they might possibly have had. It was pretty much gone when the news broke about censoring speech. It was diminished further by allowing men to pretend to be women to assault women and to convince gay children to sterilize themselves. They thought the two-tier justice system showed they were morally superior, because "nobody is above the law". Biden decimated that argument when he made senior Democrats, Liz Cheney, and his family above the law.

All Democrats and progressives have is a pretense that others should be offended by the behavior of this guy for creating Silk Road. Sure. I can be upset by his actions. However, I can also see he served time. I also know a pardon means the government will no longer hold him accountable, but society can do whatever they want. Democrats and progressives may want to consider that fact as they continue to use this pretense as an argument.; 1/24/25, 12:24 PM
Iman said...: Yeah, it’s up.

Up her derrière.; 1/24/25, 12:26 PM
Shoeless Joe said...: I've been discussing Ross Ulbricht with friends this week, and I have a number of questions that I can't seem to find answers for.

1) According to wiki Ulbricht was charged with "engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit computer hacking" and then convicted on all counts.

Did Ulbricht actually do any of these things? Or did the Gov't consider him guilty for allowing others to do them through his website?

2) There were allegations brought up in his trial that Ulbricht had engaged in murder for hire schemes, although it does not appear that he was charged with or convicted of those crimes. The judge then admitted that he took those allegations into account when sentencing Ulbricht to two life terms + 40 years (w/o the possibility of parole) plus paying $183 million in restitution. How is it legal to sentence a defendant for crimes he was never convicted of?

Thanks.; 1/24/25, 12:30 PM
Shoeless Joe said...: Apologies if I was unclear on my first question -- what I want to know is did Ulbricht personally buy or sell drugs through the website? Did he personally launder money?; 1/24/25, 12:34 PM
Rabel said...: Following his conviction, two of the federal agents who participated in the investigation, were arrested and charged with wire fraud and money laundering.; 1/24/25, 12:55 PM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker created Napster where people traded stolen music. Shut down by court order. No jackbooted thugs. No criminal charges.; 1/24/25, 1:27 PM
Freder Frederson said...: First of all, I have not threatened anyone, you are just a liar. As for accusations, We can start with Trump families recent foray into the wonderful world of meme coins (nothing but a scam that can launder money from foreigners), accepting million dollar bribes (oh, sorry contributions) for his inaugural. We can also mention Kushner's 3 biilion dollar investment from the Saudis.; 1/24/25, 1:39 PM
Mason G said...: "She quite proudly stated that she gave him this unconscionably draconian sentence to teach other potential miscreants a lesson. Two life imprisonment terms plus 40 years one one guy to teach others a lesson! Unbelievable. Judge Katherine B. Forrest should be imprisoned for that."

Channeling Judge Smails, apparently-

"I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them."; 1/24/25, 2:33 PM
James K said...: "Part of the pardon process is that the recipients are supposed to show some contrition. That was completely lacking in this case."

Did any of the people Biden pardoned (Cheney, Biden's family member, Fauci, etc.) show contrition? I must have missed that.; 1/24/25, 2:46 PM
James K said...: "accepting million dollar bribes (oh, sorry contributions) for his inaugural"

As did Biden. From Pfizer, among others. $61.8 million according to that link.; 1/24/25, 2:49 PM
Narr said...: Hmm. Sounds like mercy to me, but I'm not a "bishop."; 1/24/25, 3:18 PM
Danno said...: Or burnt at the stake?; 1/24/25, 3:53 PM
Hassayamper said...: And if Trump thought the punishment was excessive, he could have commuted it, instead of offering a full pardon (not that you or Althouse care about the difference).

No, I really don't. What was most important was that Trump show the finger to the FBI and the rest of the Stasi police-state, and on our behalf, make it clear to every member of the enemy occupation government just how much hatred and contempt we hold for them. I think he did that very well and I hope much more is yet to come.

The FBI was established with the stroke of the President's pen and it ought to be completely abolished the same way. Along with the CIA, they are the greatest menace to liberty that has ever been allowed to exist inside our borders.; 1/24/25, 5:17 PM
The Godfather said...: "I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole." That's the killer line from the Merle Haggard song "Mama Tried". I think that's the most chilling line I have ever heard in country (or even folk) music.
Sometimes you hear a reformer proposing to eliminate capital punishment and substitute life without parole. I say, No! If you can't bear to kill him/her, then don't deny them even the hope for mercy.; 1/24/25, 5:27 PM
Gospace said...: Well, Freder, at least his bookkeeper didn't make ledger entries saying that payments made to a lawyer were legal expenses! Think of the felonies he could have been convicted of.

I don't use Proton email. I know some who do. Because the government can't peek at it. Based overseas, so the US government can't touch them. But I bet there are criminals who use it.

I use the Signal app- as does all my immediate family- for communicating with each other. End to end encryption. Government can't read it. I'm sure criminals use it also. Don't know where that's based from.

End to end encryption on emails and messaging, and even phone calls (signal can be used for that also) should be the default method for everyone to use. Make the government work to read our missives and see our family pictures. And listen in on us.

And of course criminals will use all of these. Probably before everyone else gets in line. Basically it appears Silk Road was Ebay for criminals of all kinds. Like Backpage was used for prostitution and Craigslist had to get rid of one of it's sections that was basically used for the same thing. Hey- put an ad on Backpage or wander the street in zero degree weather advertising your wares- Which would you choose?

And one more point- smuggling- one of the crimes that Silk Road was used for- is always illegal somewhere- but not always immoral or a bad thing. The other stuff? Eh, crap happens.; 1/24/25, 5:33 PM
BarrySanders20 said...: Rico should have encryptedThe End of Rico ("Gimme that choppa!"); 1/24/25, 6:58 PM