THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR ROSS ULBRICHT

ROSS IS NOW SERVING HIS 10TH YEAR IN PRISON

Over 1/2 million have signed to free Ross!

Diane Goldstein

“An unjustifiable sentence. Decades of incarceration for Ross Ulbricht would be a great tragedy and serve no useful purpose.”
– Diane Goldstein
Executive Director, Law Enforcement Action Partnership. Police Veteran

Noam Chomsky, Ph.D.

“A shocking miscarriage of justice.”
– Noam Chomsky, Ph.D.
World-Renowned Political Dissident, Professor Emeritus MIT, Author

Ron Paul

“I would pardon him…Two times life imprisonment and never committed a violent crime! It’s time for the American people to wake up!”
– Ron Paul
Former Congressman and Presidential Candidate

David Safavian

“Ross’s case highlights the insanity of the current system…Why we are ok with a non-violent offender sentenced to die in prison is beyond me.”
– David Safavian
General Counsel, American Conservative Union

Keanu Reeves

“The Silk Road and trial of Ross Ulbricht involve many important and complex issues that impact the life of Mr. Ulbricht and us all.”
– Keanu Reeves
Actor

John Stossel

“No American is safer because Ross Ulbricht is in jail for life. He is just one more casualty of our futile war against drugs.”
– John Stossel
Commentator and Television Personality

Shon Hopwood

“Such a sentence should, at the very least, be reserved for the worst crimes…Ross’s crime is nowhere near that category and his sentence was grossly excessive.”
– Shon Hopwood
Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Jesse Ventura

“An entire book could be written on Ross Ulbricht’s takedown,…most articles about his case present false or misleading information.”
– Jesse Ventura
Former Governor, Minnesota

Henry Blodget

“Ulbricht’s life sentence won’t deter others…It won’t ‘protect’ society. It won’t ‘serve justice…’ It will just waste another life behind bars.”
– Henry Blodget
CEO, Business Insider

Tim Draper

“Free Ross! We need that guy in the economy…He is clearly one of the great entrepreneurs in the world. He should be pardoned, he should get out of jail.”
– Tim Draper
Venture Capitalist

Paul Wright

“…an absolute failure of our courts…The punishment Ross Ulbricht received truly has no place in civil society.”
– Paul Wright
Executive Director, Human Rights Defense Center

Sister Helen

“A commutation of Ross Ulbricht’s sentence…would be celebrated by so many of us who care about justice, fairness and mercy.”
– Sister Helen Prejean
World-Renowned Anti-Death Penalty and Justice Advocate, Author

Michael Arrington

“I, and much of the tech community, strongly believe that Ross deserves an act of clemency and the chance to experience freedom again.”
– Michael Arrington
Founder, TechCrunch

Neill Franklin

“People like Ross should be afforded the opportunity of redemption as soon as possible. For Ross that is now.”
– Neill Franklin
Former Exec. Director, Law Enforcement Action Partnership. Police Veteran

Gary Johnson

“Should Ross Ulbricht’s unduly harsh sentence be left to stand, it would be harmful to both our legal system and the trust that the public places in our courts.”
– Gary Johnson
Former Governor, New Mexico

Rod Blagojevich

“The length of Ross Ulbricht’s sentence is unconscionable and wicked. I hope to see an end to this terrible injustice.”
– Rod Blagojevich
Former Governor, Illinois

15 state legislators

“Commuting Ross Ulbricht’s sentence and giving him a second chance would represent a major positive step in the direction of a more just system.”
– 15 State Legislators
in joint clemency letter

Beau Fifth Column

“He is the very definition of scared straight. This guy is not going to reoffend. He isn’t a danger to society.”
– Beau of the Fifth Column
Journalist and Youtube Personality

Alice Johnson

“What purpose does it serve to still keep Ross incarcerated? He’s an example of our broken criminal justice system. Let this man go! He’s done enough time.”
– Alice Marie Johnson
Criminal Justice Reform Advocate, Author

WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR CLEMENCY

There is a strong, bipartisan consensus that Ross’s sentence is a miscarriage of justice.
Over 250 organizations, eminent individuals & leaders have voiced support.

Congressman Massie Speaks Out For Ross Ulbricht's Clemency During Congressional Hearing

3,363 days in prison

First-time offender
All non-violent charges
Two life sentences + 40 years without parole

Ross Ulbricht is condemned to die in prison for creating an anonymous e-commerce website called Silk Road. An entrepreneur passionate about free markets and privacy, he was 26 when he made the site. He was never prosecuted for causing harm or bodily injury and no victim was named at trial.

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.

Who is Ross?

Case Overview

“Silk Road was supposed to be about giving people the freedom to make their own choices, to pursue their own happiness, however they individually saw fit. [It] turned out to be a naive and costly idea that I deeply regret.”
– Ross in letter to the Court [PDF]

SMEARED WITH FALSE ALLEGATIONS

Tweet by Curtis Green, alleged “victim”

Ross was smeared with false, unprosecuted allegations of planning murder-for-hire that much of the media amplified through inaccurate and sensationalized reporting. The allegations were never charged at trial, never proven, never submitted to, or ruled on by, a jury, and eventually dismissed with prejudice.

Ross consistently denied the allegations (which relied on anonymous online chats never proven to have been authored by him) and those who know him never believed them. Even the only alleged victim ever identified, Curtis Green, is a fervent supporter of Ross’s clemency.

THE DOUBLE LIFE + 40-YEAR SENTENCE

None of the other defendants related to the case received sentences above ten years, including those behind Silk Road 2.0, a larger replica. Nearly all of them are free today.

Ross’s judge used uncharged allegations that Ross was never found guilty of to justify her sentence, in violation of the Sixth Amendment. She also violated the First Amendment by sentencing Ross, in part, on what she believed was his political philosophy.

“…such a sentence should, at the very least, be reserved for the worst crimes committed by repeat offenders…Ross’s crime is nowhere near that category and his sentence was grossly excessive.”
– Shon Hopwood. Law Professor, Georgetown University

Silk Road Case Sentencing Disparity Ross Ulbricht

EXEMPLARY CONDUCT

Ross Ulbricht Group Photo NonViolent Offenders 2018

With fellow lifers. USP Florence – 2018

October 1, 2022 marked the beginning of Ross’s 10th year in prison.

Throughout this ordeal, and at times in a dangerous environment, Ross has been a model prisoner and a good influence on those around him. He has never received a disciplinary sanction. He has taught science and math classes, and tutored fellow prisoners. He has led yoga and meditation classes to help prisoners better cope with anxiety. Ross currently leads support groups and serves as a mediator within his unit.

130 fellow prisoners signed a letter asking the President to grant him clemency.

Ross has dedicated part of the sale of his art to supporting prisoners and their families through a charitable fund called Art4Giving.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Ross was an idealistic entrepreneur who never intended harm. He has taken responsibility for his mistake and deeply regrets it. He has learned his lesson the hard way. If released tomorrow, he would never break the law again.

Ross clings to the hope of a second chance and dreams of a future where he can start a family and make positive contributions to society.

This has been a long, hard road but we remain hopeful and optimistic. We are not a wealthy family though and we cannot do this alone. We are just regular people working every day to get Ross some relief.

Please join us!

Donate

Take Action

With his mom, Lyn. USP Florence – 2018

SOME OF OUR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Ross Ulbricht and FreeRoss.org did not create, and do not control, the FreeRossDAO, its content, members, or finances. Neither Ross Ulbricht, nor FreeRoss.org, are responsible for the FreeRossDAO’s actions, opinions or statements.