Part 9/11:
Though Ulbricht's defenders argue that he was a visionary entrepreneur driven by libertarian ideals, evidence from the logs and court proceedings suggests a more complex truth. Ulbricht engaged in scams, used violent threats, and facilitated a marketplace riddled with dangerous individuals, despite efforts to deny involvement in real violence.
The court's heavy-handed sentence has sparked debates about the justice of prosecuting Golden-age internet criminals with draconian punishments. Critics argue that the trial relied heavily on digital evidence—some of which was obtained through surveillance or questionable tactics—and that Ulbricht's case set a troubling precedent for online free markets.