Breaking news—just two weeks after my email below, we’re celebrating another win with Jerry Johnson.
Yesterday, the court ruled that Jerry is owed interest (at 9%!) for the 2.5 years the government kept the cash it unconstitutionally seized from him—and he is eligible to be compensated for attorneys’ fees he had paid out of pocket before IJ stepped in to represent him.
“I am eager to get back the money I paid for my first attorney. I can now invest this money in my business so I can continue to grow it and provide for myself and my family.”
- Jerry Johnson
This string of victories in the face of obstinate government showcases the momentum generated by IJ’s efforts to end the appalling practice of civil forfeiture once and for all—a fight only made possible by steadfast supporters like you.
On behalf of Jerry and all of us at IJ, thank you!
Scott
Scott G. Bullock
President and Chief Counsel
Institute for Justice
Donate Today ([link removed] )
———Forwarded Message———
From: Scott Bullock, Institute for Justice
Subject: Victory: Trucker gets back money seized at Phoenix airport
This weekend, IJ client Jerry Johnson finally got back the nearly $40,000 that police seized from him at a Phoenix airport—after a two-and-a-half-year legal battle.
Jerry, the owner and operator of a small trucking company in North Carolina, flew to Arizona in 2020 to attend an auto auction. In his luggage was $39,500 he had saved to buy his third semi-truck. Flying domestically with cash in any amount is completely legal, but that didn’t stop police from accusing him of laundering money and seizing his savings. Prosecutors never charged him with a crime, but they attempted to keep his money using civil forfeiture.
Click to watch ([link removed] )
Click to watch our video on Jerry's case
When Jerry fought back in court, a judge ruled he failed to prove the cash—taken directly from his bags—was his and, therefore, he couldn’t contest the forfeiture. So, Jerry teamed up with IJ to appeal that ruling. And the Arizona appeals court issued a resounding ruling in Jerry’s favor, with one of the judges telling the state's attorney during argument in the case, “I’m sorry if it seems harsh that the state should actually have to come forward with evidence before it takes people’s money away at the airport.”
Despite our victory on appeal, it still took law enforcement almost a year to return what they wrongly seized from Jerry. Because Jerry and his family suffered financial hardship and missed business opportunities while his money sat in a government account, we will continue to fight until he is made whole—including interest and the fees he paid to attorneys before IJ stepped in.
Please consider supporting IJ's work to defend the rights of everyday Americans like Jerry. ([link removed] ) With your help, IJ will keep fighting until we end the abusive practice of civil forfeiture entirely.
Scott
Scott G. Bullock
President and Chief Counsel
Institute for Justice
Donate Today ([link removed] )
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