FACT BRIEFDid Nevada police seize a military veteran’s money even though he was not charged with a crime?
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.
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Sources
Las Vegas Review-Journal Nevada troopers took nearly $87K from a retired Marine during a traffic stop
Washington Post A former Marine was pulled over for following a truck too closely. Police took nearly $87,000 of his cash.
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