Ross Ulbricht
What is ross ulbricht?
Key facts
Ross Ulbricht is an American man known for creating and operating Silk Road, an online darknet market for illegal goods, and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Context
Ross Ulbricht, also known online as Dread Pirate Roberts, was the founder and operator of Silk Road, a hidden website designed to enable anonymous buying and selling of illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services [1]. He was arrested by the FBI on October 1, 2013 [1], and later found guilty on all seven counts in Manhattan federal court, receiving a life sentence in 2015 [1]. On January 21, 2025, he was granted a full and unconditional pardon by President Donald Trump [1].
Documented claims
- Ross Ulbricht created and operated Silk Road, a darknet market for illegal goods. [1]
- He was arrested by the FBI on October 1, 2013. [1]
- He was found guilty on all seven counts and sentenced to life in prison in 2015. [1]
- He received a full and unconditional pardon from Donald Trump in January 2025. [1]
Questions and answers
Who is Ross Ulbricht?
Ross Ulbricht is an American man known for creating and operating Silk Road, an online darknet market for illegal goods, and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in January 2025 [1].
What was Ross Ulbricht's alias?
He was known online as Dread Pirate Roberts [1].
When was Ross Ulbricht arrested?
He was arrested by the FBI on October 1, 2013 [1].
When was Ross Ulbricht pardoned?
He was pardoned on January 21, 2025 [1].
Sources
- What We Know About Ross Ulbricht, Or 'Dread Pirate Roberts' — npr.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)