ROSS ULBRICHT WILL SOON BEGIN HIS 11TH YEAR IN PRISON

Over 1/2 million have signed to free Ross!

j CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

“I got X-rays done for my rib cage here at the prison. I hope I can find out what has been causing me so much back pain for so long.”
– Ross Ulbricht. Aug 16, 2023

Diane Goldstein

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

Noam Chomsky, Ph.D.

“A shocking miscarriage of justice.”
– Noam Chomsky, Ph.D.
World-Renowned Linguist and Social Critic. Laureate Professor. 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 U.S. Representative, Texas

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

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

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

Sheriff David Hathaway

“One of the basic tenets of our American principles is that the punishment should be just and proportionate to the crime. Mr. Ulbricht’s sentence is neither.”
– Sheriff David Hathaway
Santa Cruz County, Arizona

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

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

Warren Davidson

“His ridiculous sentence should be commuted and he should be set free.”
– Congressman Warren Davidson
U.S. Representative, Ohio

Albert Wynn

“It is clear Ulbricht’s sentence is disproportionate to his crime.”
– Albert Wynn
Former U.S. Representative, Maryland

WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR CLEMENCY

There is a strong, bipartisan consensus that Ross’s sentence is unjust and that he deserves a second chance.
Over 250 organizations, eminent individuals & leaders have voiced support.

3,614 DAYS IN PRISON

First-time offender
All non-violent convictions
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

“Over countless hours, I have searched my soul and examined the misguided decisions I made when I was younger. I have dug deep and made a sincere effort to not just change what I do, but who I am. I am no longer the type of man who could break the law and let down so many.”

– Ross in letter to the President [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. The only alleged victim ever identified, Curtis Green, is a fervent supporter of Ross’s clemency.

SENTENCING DISPARITY

Ross’s sentence implies that he can never be given a second chance for as long as he lives, regardless of his rehabilitation and attempts to make amends.

The average prison sentence all the other defendants related to the case received is six years, including the actual drug sellers, the men who helped run Silk Road, and the men behind Silk Road 2.0, a larger replica. Nearly all of them are free today.

“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 is 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

Ross has been in prison since 2013. Throughout this ordeal, and at times in a dangerous environment, he has never received a disciplinary sanction. He has been a good influence on those around him and a “model” prisoner, as recognized by the Bureau of Prisons.

Ross has taught science and math classes, and tutored fellow prisoners. He has led yoga and meditation classes to help prisoners better cope with anxiety. He currently leads support groups and serves as a mediator within his unit.

Over 150 former and current fellow prisoners have signed letters and written testimonials attesting to Ross’s good influence and supporting his clemency.

MAKING AMENDS

While in prison, Ross has sought to make amends and be a benefit to others. He has dedicated part of the sale of his art to charity through a fund called Art4Giving.

With a focus on lowering recidivism and harm reduction, Art4Giving has donated, in large part, to charities that support prisoners through prison visits, education, and successful re-entry and to charities that provide drug addiction prevention and treatment.

So far, $690,000 has been donated to charity, thanks to Ross’s art.

Logo made by Ross in prison

WE NEED YOUR HELP

With his mom, Lyn. USP Florence – 2018

Ross was an idealistic entrepreneur who never intended harm. He deeply regrets and has taken responsibility for his actions. 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 with his fiancée and make positive contributions to society.

We are just regular people working every day to get Ross some relief.

Please join us in freeing Ross!

Sign the Petition

FREE ROSS ULBRICHT

SOME OF OUR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS