James Ellingson, a Canadian citizen, has been charged with narcotics trafficking and money laundering offenses related to his sale of large quantities of narcotics on the Silk Road online marketplace.
According to the allegations in the Indictment, Ellingson sold over four kilograms of methamphetamine, over 100 grams of heroin, over two kilograms of cocaine, over six grams of LSD, approximately seven kilograms of the drug commonly known as “ecstasy” or “MDMA,” and over 19 kilograms of marijuana, among other narcotics, to Silk Road customers in exchange for Bitcoin, including to customers in New York City.
In March 2013, Ellingson, using the Silk Road username “redandwhite,” contacted Ross Ulbricht, Silk Road’s founder, regarding a purported Silk Road user who had threatened to release personal identifying information of Silk Road drug vendors and customers.
Ulbricht informed Ellingson that “[the murder target] is a liability and I wouldn’t mind if he was executed.” Ellingson claimed to have control over most drug trafficking in Western Canada and demanded $300,000+ USD for the murder, and Ulbricht later sent Ellingson $150,000 worth of Bitcoin to pay for the purported murder.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “As alleged, Ellingson used the Dark Web to ship dangerous drugs around the world, including to New York City. He discussed with Silk Road’s founder a plot to kill five people and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange.” IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso said, “Ellingson’s alleged criminal actions are far more egregious than just money laundering or the large quantities of narcotics trafficked through the ‘Silk Road’ online marketplace.”
Defendant: James Ellingson
Criminal Charges: Narcotics Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracies
City and State: New York
Date: Unsealed today
Sentence or Outcome: Currently facing charges
Dollar Amounts: $150,000 in Bitcoin
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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