Trump Pardons Tech Pioneer Who Was Arrested in Library's Sci-Fi Section, Given Two Life Sentences

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has granted a full pardon to Bitcoin trailblazer Ross Ulbricht.

Ulbricht, also known as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was convicted in 2015 on narcotics-related charges for running Silk Road, a dark web platform that allowed users “to buy and sell illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services anonymously and beyond the reach of law enforcement,” according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement news release.

The New York Post reported that Ulbricht received two life sentences plus an additional 40 years and was ordered to forfeit nearly $184 million.

Authorities apprehended Ulbricht in 2013 in the sci-fi section of a local library in San Francisco. According to The New York Times, he had remained in custody ever since.

Preet Bharara, who was serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York at the time, commented after the conviction, “Make no mistake: Ulbricht was a drug dealer and criminal profiteer who exploited people’s addictions and contributed to the deaths of at least six young people.”

Ulbricht’s family and supporters challenged that characterization through a website called FreeRoss.

“He was never prosecuted for causing harm or bodily injury and no victim was named at trial,” the site declared.

“Users of Silk Road chose to exchange a variety of goods, both legal and illegal, including drugs (most commonly small amounts of cannabis). Prohibited was anything involuntary that could harm a third party.

“Ross was not convicted of selling drugs or illegal items himself, but was held responsible for what others sold on the site.”

In his announcement of the pardon, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross.

“The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”

It’s unclear if Trump was referring, at least in part, to Bharara, who had been appointed as U.S. attorney by President Barack Obama.

At the Libertarian Party Convention held in Washington, D.C., in May, Trump had vowed to release Ulbricht from prison.

Silk Road was among the earliest platforms enabling users to buy and sell items using Bitcoin.

“For years, his supporters have argued that his sentence was overly punitive and adopted the slogan ‘Free Ross’ online and at industry gatherings,” The Times reported.

“It’s hard to argue that Ross Ulbricht wasn’t the most successful and influential entrepreneur of the early Bitcoin era,” Pete Rizzo, an editor for Bitcoin Magazine, shared with The Times. “This is the industry banding together and saying, ‘We’re going to reclaim our own.’”

Following Trump’s announcement, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie expressed his belief that Ulbricht’s punishment had been excessively harsh.

“I think [the DOJ] made an example out of him because they didn’t want people using bitcoin. Now it’s far more mainstream,” Massie remarked.

The Ulbricht family released a statement on their website FreeRoss.org, saying, “Our immense gratitude to President Trump for giving Ross a second chance and to all those who have supported us throughout the years. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!!!”