When my son Ross Ulbricht was arrested and brought to trial, many called him a political prisoner. Yet I wasn’t so sure this was true. When a HuffPostLive interview ran the headline: "Silk Road Founder Is A ‘Political Prisoner,’ Mother Lyn Ulbricht Says." I was uncomfortable with it (especially since I didn’t exactly say that).
Even by the sentencing I wondered if calling Ross a political prisoner might be exaggerated, too dramatic. But then the other Silk Road defendants were sentenced by a different Judge, and I was finally convinced that yes, Ross is a political prisoner. I see no other explanation for his excessive sentence.
People convicted as top drug sellers on Silk Road got a relative slap on the wrist. A top administrator during the height of Silk Road got 17 months (yes months, -- time served) and (I’m happy to say) is now a free man. Recently Brian Farrell, a top admin of Silk Road 2.0, got 8 years. Yet Ross got double life + 40 years, with no possibility of parole. Why?
It is actually against the law to give a sentence so out of proportion. The punishment must fit the crime and be at least in the same ballpark as those with similar offenses. Congress passed the Sentencing Reform Act forbidding such disparity, which Ross’ appeal calls “grotesque.”
I now think it is obvious from these other sentences that the Silk Road case was not about drugs, not about a product, but about a platform. I believe the government considered that platform a dangerous political threat, needed an example, and Ross was it. The government and the court made this quite clear.
As Ross’ appeal points out, basing a sentence on someone’s political philosophy violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech and is never the basis for a lawful or reasonable sentence.
In spite of this, the government maintains in its brief that Ross’ life sentence is reasonable. In it they express doubt that Ross had abandoned the beliefs that led him to start Silk Road. The Judge agreed, stating: “It is also notable that the reasons that you started Silk Road were philosophical and I don't know that it is a philosophy left behind.”
The Judge called this philosophy “deeply troubling and terribly misguided and also very dangerous." Yet the law, which she took an oath to uphold, states that considering someone’s philosophy is “an irrelevant and prohibited factor” in sentencing, forbidden not only by the Constitution, but the Sentencing guidelines. It is clearly unlawful that the Judge sentenced Ross more severely because she was not sure he had abandoned his views and beliefs.
As a lawyer I know said:
“Neither Thomas Jefferson nor James Madison would likely not have fared well if brought before Judge Forrest, because of their similarly ‘dangerous’ views.”
Ross’ sentence also flies in the face of precedent. Previous courts have ruled: "The freedom of speech and of the press guaranteed by the Constitution embraces at the least the liberty to discuss publicly and truthfully all matters of public concern without previous restraint or fear of subsequent punishment." Thornhill v. Alabama. And “[S]peech concerning public affairs is more than self expression; it is the essence of self-government.’’ Garrison v. Louisiana.
In addition, according to other courts, the expression of political views concerning drug laws involves core political speech, an area where First Amendment protection is “at its zenith.” Meyer v. Grant.
Judge Forrest may personally find Ross’ political views troubling and dangerous. However, it is not within her authority as a United States District Court Judge to consider his political views in determining a sentence.
In fact, it is against the law.
That a Judge would, in part, issue a life sentence based on political beliefs and statements should frighten us all.
It's clear Ross is being punished extra hard for his political philosophy. He never harmed another person and gets life in a cage? It's disgusting.
Agreed. True for him and so many others. Horrible.
Yes so agreed with you guys... Very horrible and many lifes are destroyed forever :(
Yeah he should got death penalty but mayb som tortue in jail is ok:) he will get killed or kill himself lets hope :)
double life is ridiculous + 40 years just to add on the bs judging. I dont get peter nash ending up with 17 months tho, he probably snitched and ended up with a deal because that just doesnt make any sens.
Can you explain why you feel this way? Or which part of his story makes you feel he needs to be punished?
Wow. You really are one nasty human being. Even with all the emojis, your comment is in extremly poor taste. Could you at least consider you're writing about somebodys son? You don't have to like Ross but you should have some respect for his mother 'cause it's likely she's reading this
I think this is sarcasm, but it comes off the wrong way completely. I downvoted just because I think others will not get it.
Thanks for sharing this Lyn.
Thanks for reading it!
@rossulbricht I applaud your strength and determination. This fight pales in comparison to the David and Goliath story. I hope that in Ross' appeal, the govern. allows or rather throws out "Contaminated Evidence" used against Ross. What I refer to here is the story behind the Agents that were part of the investigation against Ross, and yet these same agents committed crimes under Color of Authority stealing Bitcoin from the Silk Road and who knows what they did during this investigation in order to conceal this crime and possibly "sink" Ross to a Life sentencing.
I also would hope that the judges own words could be used against his sentencing/conviction during his appeal. Judges are not perfect and can make mistakes, I have seen it with my own eyes. In fact, as a liaison of a state court, I have been asked by a judge "What do I do Next?" during a criminal case. So some judges, in fact, don't even know what they are doing when on Bench.
Yes, there is much corruption and tainted evidence. Just found out Bridges was working for the NSA while investigating Silk Road. New info keeps coming out. And yes, we hope and pray the appellate court will reverse Ross' convictions, in the light of tainted evidence, illegal warrants, etc.
WOW! (about Bridges)...... In light of this new evidence, does the legal team feel like a re-trial is more likely?
This is just the tip of the iceberg, there's an astounding amount of corruption in this trial that keeps coming out.
Understatement. I keep waiting for the next thing to come out.
Yes he is :(
Stay strong Lyn - the way you've handled everything is really inspirational and I hope this insanity stops before Ross loses too many years.
Thanks so much. Me too, for Ross and so many others.
Whatever Ross is, he's a kind soul who is wrongly held in a cage. If you can ever think of a way people can help (rally, whatever), please post it on here. I'm sure there is no shortage.
He is indeed. I will keep everyone notified. Thank you.
There are no limits where a mother can go to protect her child...
It's amazing how you stay strong and keep fighting for justice, while so many others would just give up!
God bless you
Yes, we moms have to keep fighting. No giving up! Thank you.
Dear Lyn,
I never had a priviledge of meeting Ross but from everything I've learned about him and heard from people who had at least brif encounters with him, I can only tell say you've raised one magnificent human being.
I hope the strenght you're blessed with will never leave you.
"Some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. "
Ross is a wonderful person. I plan to write a post with video, etc. showing that. I hate how he's vilified on the internet and in the media by people accepting the government narrative who don't even know him.
I believe so, I posted this about you son a couple of weeks ago and I still stand by it.
I remember seeing your post. Great minds think alike! I also remember that UN video and you're right, haven't seen it since right after Ross was arrested. I don't think I saw the others at all. hmm, wonder if it's possible. Wonder who messed them up.
I would love to see it, if you could ever find it. It is something I have always wondered about and I hope you know that we are on your side, regardless of guilt, because who isn't guilty of something now days :)
Bless your strength, Lyn.
Bless you and your support Jamie.
It's very unfortunate but in some ways the United States has strayed so far from its' founding ideals it might a well be considered dead. Way too many people getting sent to prison for ridiculous "crimes" of possession, and way too much of a standing army (including the intel services spying internally).
I feel like our country is being hijacked.
Has been, past tense, yes 😔
When I was growing up I always thought we were on the Jedi's side I had no idea we were The Empire
Thank you for posting, Lyn. Shared far and wide. The truth will out. Love and hugs to you, Ross, and family.
Thanks so much for sharing and your sweet message. Ross will see all of the messages here.
Government: "The law is for thee, not for me."
I've noticed.
They are building the ballpark now
This is not about Ross but about anyone who is considering doing something similar to what he did, enabling humans like he did.
Yet, the court's justification of this excessive sentence being a deterrent has been proven wrong by the proliferation of similar sites that are much larger than Silk Road.
It's not supposed to stop people, it's supposed to create associations in the popular thought between the usage of crypto and punishable activity to then be able to justify victimless sentences and slow down CONSCIOUS AND VOLUNTARY ADOPTION. That's why TV shows are being created around the subject of crypto now, they urgently need to paint a picture. They know and have accepted that development can't be stopped, the only way to regulate and get away with it is by having people fear. They will do whatever it takes to portray crypto as something negative, even if they have to create the sites/technology themselves to then knock it down and make believe someone else was running them. People cannot come to think they can rule themselves, that's why they are doing this; it has nothing to do with criminality or their drugs or even their money; this is a matter of order and who gets to establish it. That is why, blockchain alternatives like this which allow us to express ourselves without being censored, are so important. We are in the middle of an information war. The official story is being established and we must do everything in our power so that the other side of the story is recorded.
Yes, I know just from direct experience of portrayals of Ross, that media, entertainment and alleged factual accounts are working this way.
Ughhhhh.
I know what you mean.
Hang In There
Will do, thanks.
Isn't it curious that only other countries have dissidents?
hmmm
thanks your shares,谢谢你发布的文章。
You're welcome!
He's being made an example of, which is repulsing IMHO.
Hang in there!
Luv from Buenos Aires :)
Gracias!
Ross is a hero, i pray every single day that he gets out and makes the world a better place once again.
#freedom #liberty #freetrade
Thank you so much for your prayers. We, and he, need them!
The fact that Ross is a political prisoner may be is a good thing. It only means he will be pardoned (ironically) by the next blockchain literate president. That day we all will be happy.
We can hope.
Thanks for sharing this, its horrible..
I did reas your post several times :)
I like to learn new things so thank u, looking forward to see more from you :)
Vote for you Lyn ;)
Thanks! Yes, you'll see more of me!
the arbitrary nature of the court system completely disqualifies it. Keep Fighting Lyn!!! You are such a great Mum, friend, woman... one day there will just be a shift in consciousness or a lucky break or a drunk judge whos just had a blowjob from a street kid in chambers and he will be in a good mood and Ross will get a lucky break... This is why I got off the plantation, but theres no hiding from some things, I guess some souls just take on huge endeavours to change the world and they do, by their suffering. I send love and wish you and yours the best
Thanks for your good wishes and encouragement!
And it does frighten us all!
#FreeRoss
For good reason!
Just got my FreeRoss T-Shirt the other day, and I wear it proudly. It's so blatantly obvious the U.S. government is severely violating the Constitution and many precedent setting laws in this case. The U.S. government is corrupt and doesn't follow its own laws / regulations unless it's going to further some fucked up agenda or pad the pockets of some favored politician or corporation. Every time I see one of these posts it infuriates me (for the travesty of justice being brought down on people like Ross).
I hope we can wake enough people up to this extreme injustice to bring pressure and get him released. My heart goes out to you Lyn for your willingness to fight to free not only your son, but to raise awareness of the tyranny his case represents that threatens us all.
Yes, people need to wake up. For all our sakes. Thanks for supporting us by buying a shirt. Please post a pic of you wearing it, or send it to me so we can!
This shows how fucked the system is. Any threat or competition to them gets maximum punishment...
This is utterly astonishing. I was aware of this case at the time but had no idea the guy had received this preposterous sentence. Disgraceful. The US is becoming more militant by the day but this takes the biscuit. Let's be honest; you know you are going to rattle the system with these kinds of actions, and they can and do over react. But this really is on another scale and hopelessly unjustified. Really hope you can get some resolution to this.
Yes, it is astonishing that this can happen in the land of the free. Please spread the word.
Dear Lyn,
Ross certainly has an impressively strong and courageous mother!
It's hard to imagine how much it must hurt to have your son taken away from you by the state for so long. It's so unjust!
I hope a day will come that you can hold him again, in freedom.
Thanks so much. Please spread the word.
Silkroad = Freedom <3 long live silkroad.
deleted comment
I'm not interested in the backlash.
`
Your right.
edited comment - i'm ashamed, please someone come provide me a lashing
I've never seen any authority in the Constitution for the federal government to outlaw them.
Legalize all drugs? no fuckin way but cannabis is alright.
It's freedom or slavery Kuriko, you choose slavery?
Freedom isn't always pretty but slavery is worse.