Ep 4. Ross William Ulbricht

Ross William Ulbricht is at the center of season 4 episode 4 of Gangsters: America's Most Evil. The episode dives into the life of the man who created and operated the infamous Silk Road, an online black market that allowed users to anonymously buy and sell drugs, weapons, and other illegal items.

Ulbricht grew up in a middle-class family in Texas, but it wasn't long before he began to experiment with drugs and embrace a libertarian philosophy. After college, he moved to San Francisco and became involved in the tech industry. But it wasn't long before Ulbricht turned his attention to the dark web and the idea of creating a marketplace where people could buy and sell illegal goods without being traced.

Silk Road quickly gained popularity among users who appreciated its anonymity and easy access to drugs. But law enforcement agencies around the world were soon on to Ulbricht and his operation. In 2013, he was arrested by the FBI and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The episode includes interviews with former Silk Road users, law enforcement officials who worked the case, and Ulbricht's family members. They offer insight into Ulbricht's motivations for creating Silk Road and the impact it had on those who used it.

Throughout the episode, viewers are presented with a complex portrait of Ulbricht. Some see him as a dangerous criminal who profited from the suffering of others, while others view him as a brilliant but misguided innovator. The episode doesn't shy away from presenting Ulbricht's flaws and mistakes, but it also takes care to explore the circumstances that led him to create Silk Road.

Overall, Gangsters: America's Most Evil season 4 episode 4 offers a thought-provoking look at one of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent years. It asks difficult questions about the role of technology in criminal activity and the limits of privacy and anonymity on the internet. Fans of true crime documentaries will find plenty to chew on in this gripping episode.