"Bates, who coped to buying pot, MDMA, Vicodin, and even antibiotics on Silk Road, agreed to testify as part of a non-prosecution agreement with federal investigators. Ulbricht meanwhile is charged with a litany of crimes, including conspiracy, money laundering, and narcotics conspiracy -- an indictment that could see him locked up for life."
end of the story goes like this, cd on bates early on, he turned informent, gave the feds access, strung Ulbricht along while they collected evidence.. they didnt find shit, they were showed.. the deal offered to the bates is toooooooo sweet and was given to bates long before anyone actually knew what they were getting/giving.. assuming he was the victim of a CD and being a college educated suburbanite who had little to no experience with LE or jail, turned so fast might as well have spun in place... its just like how we catch these local terrorist guys, reverse sting from the jump...
or im high
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