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 Stephens 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$86,900which 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 agencys budget.
In Stephens 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 Stephens behalf. Early the morning of September 1, the agency announced it would return all of Stephens 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.
Had this shit happen to a friend a few months ago. $4,500 in cash and jewelry taken. He's still trying to get it back.