How Likely is it that Ross Ulbricht Will Receive a Life Sentence?

The drug laws in the United States are absolutely ludicrous. The “kingpin” charged pegged on this guy is one normally reserved for Mafia bosses/cartel leaders, or other individuals generally running large criminal enterprises responsible for countless amounts of violence. Don’t get me wrong, this guy is no saint and facilitating a large, organized haven for drug sales is no small potatoes crime, but let’s be honest here – he does not deserve anywhere near life in prison. This guy is guilty of operating an anonymous website that allowed drug users to buy from dealers/other users, SAFELY and PEACEFULLY, for their own personal use, not for smuggling tonnes of drugs into the country and setting off gang wars in the streets. He was NOT running a violent criminal enterprise, and from what I understand, he was not even selling any drugs himself, merely running the website. (note: For anybody who might bring up the hit man thing, the “alleged” murder-for-hire plot should have no bearing on his sentence due to the fact these allegations were never introduced to the court as there is no evidence to support any real murders taking place). This whole case ties directly into the inherently corrupt judicial system of the USA. When it all comes down to the nuts and bolts, this kid is going to get hung out to dry because this is a monumental case for all the government agencies involved in this prosecution, and sets a major precedent for all internet-based drug cases to follow. In order to send the clear, strong message they want to send with this grandiose conviction, this guy will spend a hugely disproportionate amount of time in prison for his crime, while meanwhile a bunch of suits will be patting each other on the back, basking in the glory and enjoying the nice career boost that comes with it.

The drug laws in the United States are absolutely ludicrous. The “kingpin” charged pegged on this guy is one normally reserved for Mafia bosses/cartel leaders, or other individuals generally running large criminal enterprises responsible for countless amounts of violence. Don’t get me wrong, this guy is no saint and facilitating a large, organized haven for drug sales is no small potatoes crime, but let’s be honest here – he does not deserve anywhere near life in prison. This guy is guilty of operating an anonymous website that allowed drug users to buy from dealers/other users, SAFELY and PEACEFULLY, for their own personal use, not for smuggling tonnes of drugs into the country and setting off gang wars in the streets. He was NOT running a violent criminal enterprise, and from what I understand, he was not even selling any drugs himself, merely running the website. (note: For anybody who might bring up the hit man thing, the “alleged” murder-for-hire plot should have no bearing on his sentence due to the fact these allegations were never introduced to the court as there is no evidence to support any real murders taking place). This whole case ties directly into the inherently corrupt judicial system of the USA. When it all comes down to the nuts and bolts, this kid is going to get hung out to dry because this is a monumental case for all the government agencies involved in this prosecution, and sets a major precedent for all internet-based drug cases to follow. In order to send the clear, strong message they want to send with this grandiose conviction, this guy will spend a hugely disproportionate amount of time in prison for his crime, while meanwhile a bunch of suits will be patting each other on the back, basking in the glory and enjoying the nice career boost that comes with it.