Darkweb Silk Road founder 'hopeful' for a second chance after Trump's pardon promise

Darkweb Silk Road founder 'hopeful' for a second chance after Trump's pardon promise

Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road who is serving an 11th year of life in prison in the United States, said on his X (formerly Twitter) that he is 'hopeful for a second chance' after former U.S. President Donald Trump promised to pardon him if re-elected. 'It's hard to put into words the emotions I felt when I heard those words after 11 years in prison,' Ulbricht wrote. 'I am grateful for the support of those who believe in me and my vision for a free and open internet.' Last weekend, Trump promised to 'pardon Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht serving life in prison' if re-elected. He said, 'I will make sure that the future of cryptocurrency and bitcoin happens in the USA, while at the same time protecting the rights of 50 million cryptocurrency holders to self-custody. We are not going to let Sen. Elizabeth Warren anywhere near your bitcoin.' Ulbricht was arrested in 2013 and convicted of money laundering, computer hacking, and conspiracy to traffic drugs. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Silk Road was a dark web marketplace where users could buy and sell drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods. It was shut down by the FBI in 2013. Ulbricht's supporters have long argued that he is a political prisoner and that his sentence is too harsh. They say that he was simply trying to create a free and open marketplace where people could buy and sell goods without government interference.