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Did Nevada police seize a military veteran’s money even though he was not charged with a crime?

By Todd Butterworth
YES

In 2021, retired U.S. Marine Stephen Lara drove through Nevada to visit his daughters in California. He was carrying his life savings in cash, nearly $87,000, intended for a down payment on a home. Police seized the money during a traffic stop and held it for months.

Carrying large amounts of money is legal, and Lara had ATM receipts for his cash. There was no evidence he had committed a crime, although police were suspicious of a single man making a one-way trip with so much money.

Nevada police contacted federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents and coordinated an “adoption” whereby state police use federal law to seize property. Lara was never charged with a crime and did not receive his money back until filing a lawsuit.

Lara’s case has been highlighted by advocates for forfeiture law reform. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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