Ross Ulbricht plans to speak at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas in May, marking the Silk Road creator’s first public appearance since his release from federal prison in January.

Ulbricht founded the infamous online black market in 2011, which facilitated the anonymous sale of illegal drugs and illicit goods using Bitcoin (BTC) as a method of payment.

After his arrest in 2013, Ulbricht received a double life sentence plus 40 years without the possibility of parole, a significantly harsher punishment than many individuals who sold illicit goods on the Silk Road or similar platforms.

In the years since his imprisonment, the Silk Road creator became a cause célèbre for many Libertarian voters, who argued his sentence reflected a draconian approach to drug policy.

In a bid to siphon off additional Libertarian support in last year’s presidential election, Donald Trump pledged to free Ulbricht if he won the election in November. Trump issued an unconditional pardon to the Silk Road creator after his inauguration in January,

Explained the president at the time,

“I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross.

The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!”

The Bitcoin Conference is scheduled for May 27th to 29th.

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