Ross Ulbricht Thanks Donald Trump in a Video Message
On January 22, 2025, Ross Ulbricht walked out of prison after President Donald Trump announced his decision to release him.
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In a gratitude message directed to Trump, Ross said:Â
I was doing life without parole, and I was locked up for more than 11 years but he let me out. I’m a free man now. So let it be known that Donald Trump is a man of his word.
Ulbricht thanked for having a second chance at life, adding that his release is a victory for everyone who had supported him.
“There’s a lot to talk about,” said Ulbricht, mentioning that he planned to spend time with his family.
Ulbricht had spent 11 years behind bars after being found guilty of running the darknet marketplace Silk Road. He was arrested in 2013 and, in 2015, received two life sentences plus 40 years.
Silk Road, which he founded in 2011, was an online marketplace that allowed anonymous purchases using Bitcoin.
Ross’s arrest and harsh sentence sparked widespread debate about whether he was truly a drug king or the first “crypto prisoner.” His supporters launched the “Free Ross” movement, speaking out against the judge’s decision and demanding his release.
Ulbricht’s lawyers argued that, while he created the platform, he wasn’t directly involved in the buying or selling of illegal products.
During his presidential campaign, Trump had stated that pardoning Ross would be one of his priorities. After becoming president, he announced he had signed Ross’s full pardon, calling the sentence unjust.
Ross’s story has drawn significant attention. A Hollywood documentary, set to release in 2025, is expected to reveal more details about his life and arrest.
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