Welcome to this episode of Mutual Exchange Radio, a project of the Center for a Stateless Society. Today’s guest is Lyn Ulbricht, the mother of Ross Ulbricht. Ross Ulbricht was the founder of Silk Road, a website run as a market that valued the privacy and security of its patrons highly. Because of its emphasis on privacy, it quickly became famous for hosting exchanges of a clandestine nature, such as drugs. Ross was targeted and sentenced to life without parole on entirely non-violent charges for his involvement in Silk Road on very legally dubious grounds. His case has important and dangerous legal implications for the future of the drug war, internet privacy, and due process more generally in the United States.

Since Ross’ arrest Lyn has strived to direct awareness beyond the sensationalism of the case to issues at stake and how the case impacts freedom in the digital age, as well as a passionate defender of due process and her son. She has spoken at numerous events; appeared on many TV, radio and podcast shows, including Reason TV, CNN, HuffPost Live and Fox; and conducted interviews with major and alternative media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The Guardian. She is also featured in the documentary Deep Web.

Our conversation today focuses primarily on the details and facts of Ross’s case, including the incredible story leading to his arrest and the dangerous legal precedent it sets. Without further ado, here is Lynn Ulbricht. You can get more information about Ross’ case and the petition to free him at FreeRoss.org.