Courts / Wicklow / Report

US claims Wicklow man was administrator of "sprawling black market bazaar" website Silk Road

Date
2015-07-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

The United States has requested the extradition of Gary Davis, 27, of Johnstown Court, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow, who is alleged to have been an administrator of the Silk Road website under the name 'Libertas'. The U.S. authorities charge him with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering, offences that could carry a life sentence if he is convicted in the United States. Davis's counsel, John O'Kelly SC, argues that extradition would expose him to inhuman and degrading conditions in a medium‑security U.S. prison, citing his Asperger's Syndrome and depression. The request is being heard before Mr Justice Paul McDermott under the 1965 Act. The U.S. case relies on evidence seized from the Silk Road, including servers and undercover purchases, and claims Davis had explicit knowledge of the drugs and hacking software sold on the site between June and October 2013. The hearing is expected to last several days.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: US claims Wicklow man was administrator of "sprawling black market bazaar" website Silk Road. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 2013 Incident
June 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-07-14 Publication

Why: Counsel said the charges against Mr Davis in the US are quite clear and also submitted that there is nothing that precludes the court from making an order for Mr Davis's extradition because some of the offences he is facing may not have been committed within the territory of the United States. CNI source report