United States of America v. Ulbricht et al

Filing 8

ENDORSED LETTER addressed to Judge J. Paul Oetken from Christine Magdo dated 10/25/2013 re: As the seizure of a large quantity of Bitcoins from Ulbricht's computer hardware is now complete, the United States respectfully requests that this Court: (1) unseal the Second Protective Order, and (2) unseal and approve the filing of a redacted version of the Second Application (copies of which are enclosed herewith). The redactions in the Second Application were made in order to protect the ongoing investigation. ENDORSEMENT: SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 10/25/2013) (ama)

u.s. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Southern District ofNew York
The Silvio J. Mollo Building
One Saint Andrew's Plaza
New York, New York 10007

October 25,2013
Hon. J. Paul Oetken
United States District Judge
United States Courthouse
40 Centre Street
New York, New York 10007

Re:

United States v. Ross William Ulbricht, et al., 13 Civ. 6919 (JPO)

Dear Judge Oetken:
On October 24,2013, upon the sealed application of the United States in the above­
captioned case, Your Honor entered a sealed post-complaint protective order with respect to
certain Bitcoins, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 983(j)(1) (the "Second Application" and the "Second
Protective Order," respectively). More specifically, the Second Protective Order authorized the
United States to transfer any and all Bitcoins found on certain computer hardware belonging to
Ross William Ulbricht, the Defendant in Personam, to Bitcoin addresses controlled by the United
States, pending the outcome of the civil forfeiture action. Since yesterday, federal law
enforcement agents have transferred approximately 144,336 Bitcoins from Ulbricht's computer
hardware, worth approximately $26 million at today's exchange rates, pursuant to the Second
Protective Order.
As the seizure of a large quantity of Bitcoins from Ulbricht's computer hardware is now
complete, the United States respectfully requests that this Court: (1) unseal the Second Protective
Order, and (2) unseal and approve the filing of a redacted version of the Second Application
(copies of which are enclosed herewith). The redactions in the Second Application were made in
order to protect the ongoing investigation.
Respectfully,
PREET BHARARA

ISTINE MAGDO (21 637-2297)
Assistant United States Attorney

RABLE J. PAUL OETKEN
ITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE