asset forfeiture

Published on: March 19, 2021

Does Civil Asset Forfeitures Really Deter Crime? A Study Suggests Not

A recent study by the Institute of Justice showed no collaboration between criminal activity and civil asset forfeitures, news sources state. Civil asset forfeiture has grown popular in police departments all over the country and infamous to property rights critics. Police justify the use of civil asset forfeiture as a way to entrap drug kingpins and other large, organized criminals, but this study, among others, calls that argument into question.

Civil asset forfeiture lets the police take away an individual’s property under the suspicion of it aiding criminal offenses. The system leaves the burden to provide proof of innocence to the property owners who often don’t do anything to retrieve their assets any longer.

Published on: March 2, 2021

U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Forfeiture of Over $1 Million Allegedly Used to Defraud a Company in Virgin Islands

by Brian Silber

A civil forfeiture complaint involving $1,047,535 seized by police from a money mule bank has been filed before the court in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, alleged that said money was acquired through a fraudulent transaction called business email compromise scheme, or BEC, made by Boyang Group, Inc. The company that was defrauded of millions of dollars by Boyang Group is reportedly based in the Virgin Islands.

Published on: February 22, 2021

Owner of Vehicle Seized After IL Shooting Seeks Recourse

by Brian Silber

The owner of the vehicle involved in the shooting and wounding of a Joliet, IL bouncer on December 13 is now trying to reclaim his seized car by the State Attorney.

Bryson Lee Carter, 26, resident of Iowa Avenue, was arrested in connection to the non-fatal shooting of a man working as bouncer at Anthony’s Pub & Restaurant. The 2017 silver Chevrolet Malibu used during the shooting is registered under Carter’s name. However, Carter told police that one of his passengers shot at the bouncer, sources indicate.

Published on: February 19, 2021

Rapper NBA Youngboy Arrested on Suspected Drug Charges; 14 Firearms and $79,000 Seized by Police

by Brian Silber

Rapper NBA Youngboy was arrested on suspected drug charges in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last Monday during a raid by Baton Rouge Police and the FBI. The Baton Rouge Street Crimes Division claims they received an anonymous tip about individuals brandishing guns in an abandoned lot. During the raid, 16 people were arrested and $79,000 was seized through civil asset forfeiture.

While the anonymous tip concerned weapons, the accused rapper was ultimately arrested on drug possession charges. NBA’s lawyer claims that not only did his client not have any illegal substances on him during the raid, but he was also unarmed. While only one illegal weapon was found during the raid, police and FBI seized a total of 14 firearms and $79,000 in cash.

Published on: February 15, 2021

“I’m Not a Cat,” Civil Asset Forfeiture Attorney Declares in Virtual Court Hearing Gone Wrong

by Brian Silber

A Texas attorney who was setting up for a civil forfeiture hearing in Presidio County, TX, hadn’t expected his Zoom call to become a viral sensation.

It was a hearing like any other, except for the lawyer who couldn’t figure out how to turn off the cat filter on his Zoom call during a hearing in Texas’ 394th Judicial District Court. A clip of the incident featuring the fluffy grey feline has since gone viral.