15 Nov Drug trafficking charge: Silk Road administrator pleaded guilty

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Drug Charges on Friday, November 15, 2013.

Federal prosecutors in Maryland reported that the administrator of Silk Road pleaded guilty to a charge of cocaine conspiracy. The 47-year-old man is the administrator of the online black market for smuggled illegal goods, which has resulted in a drug trafficking charge. Remaining anonymous while drug dealing online is something that is no longer guaranteed.

The administrator of Silk Road assisted an undercover drug enforcement agent in arranging the acquisition of one kilogram of cocaine. The drugs were purchased from a drug dealer on Silk Road for the amount of approximately $27,000. The purchase was made using Bitcoin — which is a digital currency — in another attempt to remain anonymous.

Two more men were charged in the case. One pleaded guilty to conspiracy to circulate heroin and other drugs online via Silk Road. The other one was the person responsible for setting up the Silk Road website. He was indicted in Maryland on various charges, including attempted murder of a witness, and he also faces further charges in New York.

Penalties for anyone facing a drug trafficking charge have become more rigid in recent years. In Maryland, jail terms have become mandatory for convicted drug dealers and anyone convicted of possessing certain amounts of illegal drugs. Those accused of having solicited, enticed, offered, encouraged, persuaded, induced, coerced or possessed a controlled substance will be given a fair trial and remain innocent unless proved guilty. Depending on the quantity and type of drugs in question and also the criminal record, sentences for those convicted will vary.

Source: District of Maryland News, Administrator Of Silk Road Website And Drug Vendor Plead Guilty To Drug Conspiracy, No author, Nov. 7, 2013