Four Years Ago Today
October 1, 2017
Today marks four years that Ross Ulbricht has been incarcerated. He was recently moved from New York to USP-high Florence, Colorado, a maximum-security prison where the Bureau of Prisons puts its most violent offenders. This is not because Ross is violent, but because of his excessive sentence of double life plus 40 years, without parole.
All Ross’ charges are non-violent; he is a first-time offender, and has no history of violence. No victims came forward at trial to say Ross had harmed them in any way. It is quite the opposite, as demonstrated by 100 letters to the judge. In addition, there are many questions about the investigation and trial, including corrupt government agents, precluded evidence and Constitutional violations.
Ross’ designation score, which the BOP uses to place people, is a 12. Even including the charges, that score is so low that it places Ross in a low security prison with non-violent people. He scores one point up from a camp – which has no fences. But because of the sentence issued by Judge Katherine Forrest he is in a USP with violent gangs.
Judge Forrest could have given Ross the mandatory minimum of twenty years, which is a very long sentence – a generation. But that wasn’t enough for Judge Forrest. Neither was 60 years. Judge Forrest was not satisfied with anything less than Ross leaving the prison as a corpse. And taxpayers will pay over $1 million to keep us “safe” from Ross.
Ross is not unique. Life sentences have quintupled since the ‘80s and the drug war. 17,000 people, like Ross, are serving life today for non-violent charges.
Denied appeal by the 2nd Circuit, Ross is preparing to petition the Supreme Court. It is Ross’ hope-- and ours-- that this and his case will shine a light on the rampant abuses in our criminal justice system and the misery the drug war is inflicting (while not curtailing drug use at all). This is our aim, not just for Ross, but for the multiple thousands of people and their families whose lives are being destroyed.
It is a sad anniversary today, but we remain hopeful that Ross will find relief and ultimately be free. And that our criminal justice system will become one that is humane and effective.
It's a tragedy of justice.
The saying is true. "Only the middle class believes in justice because the rich and poor know better." Only a fool would believe there's justice to be had in our court system. A thief robbed me in court once. The judge knew he was a thief too, but the truth and justice didn't matter. I was still robbed. My case is nothing compared to Ross's of course.
I really don't have much hope for humanity because of cases like his. If the level of injustice done to him can happen without major upheaval by the majority of people, what hope do we have to defend liberty? Most people just don't give a damn because it isn't them being squashed by the government. They don't care because it isn't their loved one or themselves.
It's because our government is basically the mafia. Ross was a threat to the mafia' business, so they used the legal system to make an example out of him. To them it's a matter of preserving their control, and not at all a matter of justice.
you cant sell drugs - the government hates competition
Bingo!
Right, but we must educate the masses about the truth. I just was released from federal prison. The war on drugs is the biggest scam against social classes ever created, publicly traded prisons, and wrongful sentences, a life sentence without taking a life is the biggest crime there is. I will be posting and advocating for prison reform, and legislative changes. Please follow me, I just started here......
It's good to see someone comment meaningfully on this post. It is a tragedy. He lost his life and liberty and you are right that it can happen to anyone. The sentence is totally out of proportion and he is being used as a threat to others who wish to step outside of the system that taxes them and manipulates them. He has to suffer this every day. There is no justice.
There's another saying... You get as much justice as you can afford. That is a lie though when the government is your opponent. They will crush you no matter how much money you have. :(
Totally. They have ensured they have the power to decide who gets 'justice'.
If such lawlessness is happening in the US for the sake of the mafia, then what to say about Ukraine - whose government ignores even the decisions of the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights for the benefit of man. And thus, in accordance with the UN General Declaration of Human Rights of 10.12.1948: Considering that it is necessary that human rights are protected by the rule of law in order to ensure that a person is not forced to resort, as a last resort, to an insurrection against tyranny and oppression.
"Insurrection against tyranny and oppression" is not an ideal situation, but it is better than allowing collectivists, of all flavors, to turn nations into prisons.
I just want to be left alone as long as I harm no one or their property. It would be nice to not be robbed while I'm being peaceful too.
The UN isn't going to help. No government system will. We have to create alternatives to governments and walk away from them. That's part of what steemit.com is doing.
Thanks for the follow, and I'm following you back. :)
Walk away from government as a whole, not disrespecting those who serve out military but to
Boycott and join together in unity as citizens. Cut the hatred game they push on everyone, and join together to educate and learn from history and throw out these criminal politicians.
Storm Clouds Gathering has a term for it. It is called the "Chain of Obedience.". Most police and military do as they are ordered. History is full of ample evidence.
Totalitarians are all alike. Very predictable.
You are totally right. I believe they are wanting to set an example with him, so people won't rise to take his position.
And yet this failed. Dark Net markets are bigger than ever.
Yeah
Most people in our society with any form of education are totally unaware of the "system". I was introduced to the system at age 34 after falling on some hard times through addiction. I have been out of federal prison for about 1.5 yrs and am beginning my journey to fight for prison reform, and the war on drugs. We need to educate the masses about the monetized prison system, and the social injustices
If you don't mind sharing, what were you in for please? Let me guess. A supposed drug "crime?" Was there a victim?
sorry for delay. I was actually in for counterfeiting money, but it was related to drug use. There were victims, Wal-Mart and Best Buy,,,I was indicted for $60 and served a total of 3 years
You counterfeited $60 and spent 3 years in prison because of it? Ouch. I had a father in law that was an artist, and he got caught duplicating county vehicle tax stickers. The judge said he had never seen such a close match. haha
You really got screwed @positivechange10, there is no way you could have counterfeited money in the United States. No money has existed in the United States since 1933, gold and silver coin is the only lawful money.
You may have counterfeited "legal tender" which is what most people believe to be money, but it is not money. Take any bill out of your wallet and really read what is printed on it. You will see "Federal Reserve Note" , what is a note?
A note is evidence of a debt, ever hear of a mortgage note? or a car note?
So why do we call the paper we carry a dollar bill, five dollar bill, ten dollar bill etc. ? Because we are carrying around evidence of a government debt owed to the banking cartel, a bill is a debt. We don't carry paper money around in our wallets, we carry around government debt, pretending that it is money. The sad part is that most people have no clue as to what I am saying, but it is true , the government education system gets credit for keeping generations of Americans in the dark with regard to the United States monetary system.
Go read the indictment that they charged you with, if it says "money" on it, they committed fraud against you.
Point taken. Thank you.
well said, i second your opinion
Once you experience this directly your eyes are opened. As the government becomes more and more oppressive, people will care. Hopefully not too late.
I'm sorry. It will be too late. Human psychology is a real bitch. People just don't care until it is a loved one. :( People like us are very rare.
nice post
I agree with you . It reminds me of what my lecturer once said that once you are face to face with the rich they will make sure you suffer. In this world there is not much justice . Of course they just want to make an example of him. One's freedom is based on his social standing other wise we really not free.
don't worry...time comes over everything...that judge too
I never heard that saying but how true it is.
I would like to share this terrible story on a Facebook page I follow.
may I have your permission please?
Please do
Truly sad. Not much else I can think to say.
SDG
Sad yes, but also alarming. The precedent is very dangerous for us all.
I would hope that the Supreme Court will see sense. A ridiculous sentence that should not be upheld. There are people who get less for murder. The Judge was clearly on some sort of power trip. It’s a shame there are such individuals in these positions of power. I wish the guy all the best and that sense will prevail.
Please follow back and upvote you lovely people.
He lost his appeal earlier this year. It was much more than a power trip. It set a powerful precedent that is dangerous & threatens the 4th amendment rights of all Americans.
And precedent filters down and impacts us all.
Yes I know & I have been personally heavily impacted by 4th amendment violations. Warrantless cellphone search to be exact. I feel deeply for Ross as his case hits very close to home for me. I sincerely wish I was in a position to help him.
Hello Lyn. Thank you for giving us all an update. I remember hearing your talk at Porcfest a couple years ago and how completely messed up that trial was. I'm so sorry for the hardships you and your family have faced. I hope for a future which will only view crime as something involving an actual victim. I hope your son will be vindicated. It's frustrating to think about how the verdict of public opinion against him was controlled by media pushing fantastic stories about hitmen while ignoring proven realities of corrupt government agents stealing bitcoin for themselves. I hope the truth will come to light.
Thank you! Please spread the word.
Suspected of...
Creating a free market
Within a free country
So we incarcerate
For, you know...
Freedom!
Nice post @rossulbricht. Memories never fade.
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IMMEDIATELY.
POLITICAL PRISONER BEING DEFINED AS SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER ASSAULTED ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL'S PROPERTY OR PHYSICALITY.
AMEN
Political prisoners can be the worse since they have the ability to mold minds that are easily influenced.
Nice post. Thanks. Please follback vote n comment @hadimemories my friends. Thanks
So random, how do you get upvoted - and by a witness (good-karma)! ??
Seeing your comment after reading about the injustice that has robbed a very smart person of his life for building a system to improve lives (that others used for bad) MADE ME ANGRY!
The judge is the real miscreant! A person who is afraid of the future and the power new technology gives INDIVIDUALS! Everyone should spend 10 minutes reading about Forrest - educate yourselves and know how the same people who put Forrest in power are suffering from authoritarian rule from her and others!
Yea. This is strange. I almost only vote witnesses that provide public rpc nodes
FOLLOWED
Hello @hadimemories, dear please vote and follow me @mrashid. Have a great time Thanks.
Sad story... Thank you for sharing