Truth be told on Ross Ulbricht:
(a) He should have gone to jail. I know, I know..."he just made the tool, he didn't use the tool." However, he knowingly allowed that tool to be used for criminal activity, some of it horrible activity. Saying "free speech" while allowing another to commit crimes doesn't wash one's hands clean of those crimes that are committed. He knew what was going on, he knew heinous things were being done thanks to his site, he hid from it, he got caught. If I built a sledge hammer, then a child commenced to beating another child over the head with it while I watched, I'm not clean of what happened.
(b) That said, his sentence was far too punitive. It basically equates to "cruel and unusual punishment" as the DOJ clearly sought to use his case to set an example.
(c) His time has been served, I hope he gets commuted today and starts life anew.