Watch Cops Seize Combat Vet's Life Savings [RARE FOOTAGE]

Stephen Lara did everything right. But, as subscribers of our YouTube channel know well, even innocent people aren’t safe from civil forfeiture.

Stephen is a 39-year-old retired Marine from Lubbock, Texas. He is a devoted father of two teenage daughters and, once a month, he drives from Texas to see them in California, where they live with their mother. Eager to be closer after spending the pandemic in Texas caring for his elderly parents, he has been shopping for a home near the California-Nevada border.

In February 2021, Stephen was making his usual trip west through Reno when he was pulled over by the Nevada Highway Patrol for supposedly following a tractor-trailer too closely.

The officer complimented Stephen’s driving, thanked him for observing the speed limit, and explained that NHP was “conducting a public information campaign” to help drivers avoid danger. Confident that the officer was only there to help, Stephen cooperated with his escalating investigation, even volunteering that he was carrying a large amount of cash.

Ninety minutes later, Stephen had been robbed of his life savings—$86,900—which he carried with him after a spate of robberies in his parents’ neighborhood. The officer who pulled Stephen over wanted to let him go; he was overruled by NHP Sergeant Glenn Rigdon, who ordered the money seized specifically so that it could be “adopted” by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Adoption” is a process by which federal law enforcement agencies can take over a seizure by state and local law enforcement. If the federal government is successful in forfeiting the property, its “equitable sharing” program guarantees the state or local agency that seized the property up to 80% of the proceeds for use in the agency’s budget.

In Stephen’s case, the DEA sat on his life savings for months, ignoring the legal deadlines requiring it to charge Stephen with a crime, begin a civil forfeiture case against his property, or return the money within six months of seizure. The DEA did none of those things. So, on August 30, IJ sued it in federal court on Stephen’s behalf.

Early the morning of September 1, the agency announced it would return all of Stephen’s money. In less than 24 hours, it had learned of our lawsuit, answered hard questions from The Washington Post, and committed to reviewing its policies for federal adoptions.

When we learned he would be getting his money back (filled with joy), he told us, “This isn’t over.”

And it isn’t. At the same time we filed in federal court, we also filed a major constitutional challenge in state court. Our state case aims to make federal adoptions impossible in Nevada as violations of the state constitution’s guarantees of reasonable seizures supported by probable cause and due process of law—not based on mere suspicion or for the financial benefit of the seizing agency. If we are successful, it will be the first time a state court has struck down federal adoptions. And a victory will take the profit motive out of roadside seizures.

Filmed with a Canon C70 with a 50mm 1.2 lens. Aputure 300d, 120d, and amaran.

[ericthompson]

Citizens shouldn’t have to prove their money was acquired legally. Law enforcement should have to prove it wasn’t.

[Johnny_Benson]

He went from not trusting banks, to not trusting cops.

[rickyah-see]

“He was driving under the speed limit which is odd” “he has his bank receipts which is odd”.. you can’t even do the right legal thing without it being odd

[gametime]

These cops should be charged with theft. What evil people these cops are

[angrybritches]

As a former Marine, I can tell what just happened. You took an honorable man who loves his country, his family, and believes in the Constitution, and state laws, and now has informed him, his service has no value and that the state & Feds are his enemy.

[leadslinger]

The fact they don't need any evidence to do this is straight up criminal.

[SlackersIndustry]

No need to go fight In Afghanistan when the real enemy is here

[toddblack]

This guy literally was an open book, cooperated, gave his trust...
They took advantage of that, this is as sickening as it gets.

[samwright]

I spent 33 years in law enforcement I can tell you this is corrupt no matter what the pretense is. If police can't understand why they are hated by the public look no further then these actions.

[ianbattles]

The fact that they returned the money as soon as legal pressure was applied to them demonstrates the flimsy legal footing on which they base these seizures.

[angusdog]

NEVER, EVER, EVER talk to police conducting an investigation without an attorney or give permission to search ANYTHING!!! No matter what!!!

[ntxnancy]

Never ever allow law enforcement to search your property, car, or home, without a search warrant! Never!

[jimmyslaughter]

The police had ZERO intention of getting that money back to him unless they were sued AND given bad PR. Thank you for representing him!

[Saltee]

This blows away the saying, "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."

[kcin]

“why should i care? im not doing anything wrong” THIS IS WHY.

[ntrtain]

He, the thief in uniform, literally rubbed his palms together when he answered yes to the cash question... He should be in jail.

[jamesdavis]

The wrong guy was wearing the badge. The man who has real integrity is the Marine.

[aliasunknown]

His first mistake, letting em search the car. The cops want to act like it's you doing them a favor. As soon as you say no, hostilities begin.

[msmarch]

He had his receipts with him!!! Outrageous!

[SGzSynyster]

That guy got a 87k fine for driving very well.
Unbelievable injustice.