Silk Road Founder Appeals Conviction and Life Sentence

According to court documents filed Thursday, the lawyer for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht has filed an appeal against his conviction and the life sentences handed down for his role in the black market website. The 31-year-old was handed two life sentences and a $183 million fine for the operation of Silk Road, which is known as a platform for selling illegal drugs, under the alias Dread Pirate Roberts. Ulbricht was convicted of seven counts related to operating Silk Road from 2011 through 2013, including conspiring to commit money laundering and distributing narcotics online, in February. Last week, a federal judge handed Ulbricht the maximum sentence. According to the court document, Ulbricht is appealing the conviction and sentence, including the fine.