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Attorney denies California man ran Silk Road drug website

Associated Press//October 4, 2013

Attorney denies California man ran Silk Road drug website

By Associated Press

//October 4, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO — An attorney for a San Francisco man has denied charges that his client operated an encrypted website where users could anonymously shop for drugs such as heroin and LSD.

This frame grab from the Silk Road website shows thumbnails for products allegedly available through the site. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, FBI agents arrested Ross William Ulbricht, who is accused of operating the secret website, which is believed to have brokered more than $1 billion in transactions for illegal drugs and services.

Public defender Brandon LeBlanc said in brief remarks after a hearing on Friday that defendant Ross Ulbricht denies all the allegations. He declined further comment.

Ulbricht is charged with narcotics trafficking, computer hacking and money laundering.

Ulbricht appeared in court in shackles and red prison clothes for a bail hearing. LeBlanc asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero to postpone the hearing, saying the case was complex.

Spero granted the request and rescheduled the hearing for Oct. 9.

The 29-year-old Ulbricht is also charged in Maryland with arranging to pay someone to kill a witness.

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