Who is Ross Ulbricht?

“Our entire family loves Ross and miss him terribly. Ross’s brutal, inflexible sentence has caused unimaginable suffering and grief to every one of us.”
– Gale LaCava, aunt, in clemency letter

“Ross is one of those rare lights in the world and one of the best individuals I have ever met. He has lived his life with a vision of a peaceful world. I have never seen him show malice or anger towards anyone. I don’t know anyone else who treats others with such compassion and respect.”
– Brandon Anderson, Ph.D, longtime friend, in clemency letter

With a friend in 2012
(10 months before Ross’s arrest)

Bedrock of Support

Throughout his life, Ross has demonstrated his kind, generous, caring nature. The prosecution’s and some of the media’s depiction of Ross as a dangerous kingpin was a fiction that maligned an exceptionally peaceful and gentle man who is deeply loved and missed.

Over 300 individuals who personally know Ross (including fellow prisoners) have written and signed sentencing letters [PDF], clemency letters, and testimonials, vouching for his character and integrity.

“I have known Ross his entire life and he is one of the most outstanding young men it is my privilege to know. Ross’s first and only conviction does not represent who he really is or the positive things he is capable of achieving.”
– Ann Becket, aunt, in clemency letter

Peaceful, Nature-Loving Eagle Scout

Ross grew up in Austin, Texas, with his parents Kirk and Lyn and his sister Calla. At a young age, he contributed to his community as a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He is an avid camper who loves nature and the wilderness.

All his life, Ross has been widely-known as peace-loving and compassionate. He has never condoned or inflicted violence. Rather, he adheres to the non-aggression principle of “do no harm,” and believes in free personal choice, as long as it doesn’t hurt another. Ross treats everyone he meets respectfully and kindly, regardless of station, age or income.

Even in prison, Ross has remained true to his non-violent principles, recently demonstrated by his refusal to participate in an assault against another prisoner, which put his own life in danger.

“Ross is a gentle soul, with a huge heart. Ross wouldn’t hurt a flea. His attention was on seeking ways to express love to others. He taught me to look to the service of others to find peace and happiness.”
– Shiloh B. Travis, friend, in letter to judge

Honors Student and Research Scientist

Ross was an honors scholarship student with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from University of Texas at Dallas and a Masters degree in Materials Science from Pennsylvania State University.

While in school, Ross worked as a research scientist and developed advances in solar energy at the UT Dallas Nanotech Institute. He created and developed oxide thin films for technological use at Penn State Master’s Program. Ross published his findings in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Ross’s Master’s thesis “Growth of EuO Thin Films by Molecular Beam Epitax” is available here.
Some of his published research papers are available here, here, and here.

“While I know Ross is serving as a positive light in the lives of his fellow inmates, he could be doing so much more for society as a free man…It would be a great tragedy and waste to have him kept away from society.”
Catharine Becket, step-cousin, in clemency letter

Idealistic Libertarian

While attending Penn State University, Ross joined the libertarian club, worked on Ron Paul’s presidential campaign and brought him to campus. In his early 20s, Ross spent significant time thinking and writing about the ideas of limited government and individual freedom, and grew passionate about the ideas of liberty, privacy and free markets.

Ross was an idealist. He cared about bettering the world. He was never motivated by money or power, and rather lived a simple life with modest possessions, dedicating himself to causes he believes in.

“Ross is a pacifist, and someone generous with his time and knowledge. He was never concerned about money. He wanted to solve problems and make things better for others…Everything Ross has done with his science research and career decisions has been motivated by helping others…Ross has a good heart.” 
Austin Tindle, friend, in clemency letter

Ross at Penn State’s libertarian club with Ron Paul
(bottom row, far left)

After graduating from Penn State, Ross became the owner of a used book business (Good Wagon Books). He donated 10% of gross earnings to Explore Austin to mentor inner city youth, and leftover books to the Inside Books prison literacy program. Throughout his life, Ross has consistently contributed to charitable efforts (he used to donate 10% of his small lab research paycheck and in his teens, he helped Well Aware’s project to bring clean drinking water to Kenyan families).

Later, Ross used the skills he had gained through his education to become a currency trader and entrepreneur. This led him to discover new technologies, such as Bitcoin.

Exemplary Conduct in Prison

Ross has always been motivated to help people. He demonstrated this not only before his arrest, but in prison too, where he has been a model prisoner since the beginning of his incarceration in 2013. He has benefited fellow prisoners by tutoring, teaching classes (math, science, Adult Continuing Education classes, meditation) and mediating conflicts between the men in his unit. He currently also volunteers as a Suicide Watch Companion.

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

Ross has been universally liked by both prison staff and prisoners, in every prison he has been in. He has never received a disciplinary sanction.

“Mr. Ulbricht sits with the four of us every single day and we’ve made such great progress…He does all this without any expectation of something in return. It is solely to help others…His kindness and devotion to excellence have truly inspired us all.”
– Michael Van Praagh, fellow prisoner and student, in letter to judge

“Ross spent his days sharing positive thoughts with the other inmates,…encouraged them to find peaceful ways to resolve their differences…He always chose the moral high ground in every situation…On many occasions, he expressed his extreme dislike for violence on any level.”
– Michael Satterfield, fellow prisoner, in letter to judge

In grad school

So Much to Offer

While in prison, Ross continues his education, studying various subjects, such as economics, physics and artificial intelligence. He yearns to rejoin society and positively contribute with his knowledge. His essays written from prison on a wide range of topics are available on Medium.

Ross is committed to positively contributing to society once free. He recently published his idea for a new, revolutionary technology using AI that would help fight the sharing of harmful content online. Unfortunately, he cannot access the resources to work on this further from prison.

“Given Ross’s true character and dedication to others, I have no doubt that he will contribute to the betterment of our world if given the chance. Ross truly cares about the world and the quality of all our lives.”
– Jeff Crandell, uncle, in clemency letter

Beloved by Family and Friends

Ross is dearly loved and missed by all his close and extended family, and his many friends, who have steadfastly supported him over the years. Even people Ross hadn’t seen in years stepped up to contribute bail pledges and defense funds, and show support.

“The members of our family are honest and hardworking people, and we all stand by Ross’s side. All his friends have stood by his side, too. This is a testament to Ross’s character.”
– Alex Becket, cousin, in clemency letter

“Ross is one of the most brilliant and gifted people I have ever had the chance to meet…He makes everyone around him happier…Every person he has touched will tell you the same tale: he is kind, generous and always well-intentioned—very far from what some media tried to portray. Ross is genuinely a good man and he is missed every day…Keeping a beautiful soul like his incarcerated any longer than necessary is an injustice to the greater good.”
Noah Marion, longtime friend, in clemency letter

With his grandma
At play with family

Who Ross is NOT

Despite what the prosecutors and some of the media portrayed, Ross is:
 

  • NOT motivated by money: Ross led a simple life with modest possessions. Right before his arrest, he didn’t own a car and shared a house with three housemates who visited him in jail and testified on his behalf at trial.
  • NOT a ruthless kingpin or criminal mastermind: Ross’s entire life (including in prison) is living proof that this is utterly false.
  • NOT dangerous or violent: Rather, Ross is one of the nicest, sweetest people you could ever meet. Just ask the people who know him.

“I will always remember Ross’s kindness and compassion. Ross is naturally predisposed to helping others. I have dedicated my life to community service and recognize that capacity in others. He is one of the most brilliant, sensitive, kind person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. It is heartbreaking to know that he is condemned to die in prison.”
Jenni Stewart, longtime friend, in clemency letter

“I attribute our friendship largely to Ross’s kindness, generosity, and selflessness…He was genuinely interested in what he could do that might possibly make our lives better. I have witnessed Ross offering support to many people…He has a good heart and is missed by all of us who had the chance to know him.”
– Hannah Thornton, friend, in clemency letter