By Bob Unruh
The DEA filed a "civil forfeiture" case against the money, an odd federal procedure that essentially contends that the money is criminal, but Warren never was charged with anything…….Nevertheless, the government confirmed its intention to keep the money, until the IJ got involved and defended his property.
Published November 7, 2021 at 4:24pm
The Institute for Justice long has fought battles over cash that federal agents confiscate from travelers – and want to keep because it often goes into their budgets.
But given that in many such cases, no criminal charges ever are filed, the forfeiture is suspect, and in many cases likely inappropriate.
The Institute already has begun litigating a class action lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Transportation Security Authority over their confiscations.
But in the short-term, officials there have announced the resolution of a case involving the confiscation of a New Orleans man's life savings – and now its return.
The organization explained Kermit Warren, a New Orleans grandfather and head deacon of his Lower Ninth Ward church, lost his savings – the amount wasn't released – to DEA agents at the Columbus, Ohio, airport, through which he was traveling.
He was returning home – with his savings – after inspecting a tow truck that he had considered purchasing for his business.
The DEA filed a "civil forfeiture" case against the money, an odd federal procedure that essentially contends that the money is criminal, but Warren never was charged with anything.
Nevertheless, the government confirmed its intention to keep the money, until the IJ got involved and defended his property.