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Watch Cops Seize Combat Vet's Life Savings [RARE FOOTAGE] WorldViralMedia 12 Views • 4 years ago

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.

https://ij.org/case/nevada-civil-forfeiture/

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.

Luh Kel - Y.O.U. (Official Music Video) WorldViralMedia 12 Views • 6 years ago

Watch the official music video for "Y.O.U." by Luh Kel.
See me on tour: https://luhkel.ffm.to/tour
Stream Y.O.U. now: https://ffm.to/luhkelyou

Shop: https://luhkel.com
Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2YN32eC
Text ME! (816) 448-8039

Song Produced by Bankroll Got it, DJ Luney Tunez for Beat Juug LLC and XZ

Director: @jonprimo1 ⁣
DP: @kaylahoff_
Executive Producers: @jonnyshipes @adam313
Executive Producers:
@edgaresteves @christhedirector @bobbyhanaford
Production Company: @blanksquareproductions
Producer: @joanpabon_
Production Manager: @mccapturez
Supervising Producer(s): @gabslarosa @johnlarosa
Production Coordinator: miketheproducer
Editor: @callaird
Color: @lorenjameswhite
1st AD: @jchrisrouse
Steadicam: Top Branch Productions
1st AC: @pintoproduction
2nd AC: Bihilio Briggs
DIT: @joshuavallecr
Photographer: @rowmel_
Gaffer: @matthill313
Electric: Shai Keaton-Nix
Key Grip: Luis Batres
⁣G&E: @luckychickenproductions
Art Director: @sunshine_acid
PA: @angelvaughn_
PA: @iyex_
Playback: @drosworld
Camera: @lcarentals
MUA: @kimandglitter
Casting Director: @millticketceo
Project Manager: @Fame_combs

Thank you to cast & crew for making this visual come to life!

Follow Luh Kel
https://www.instagram.com/lifewluhkel/
https://twitter.com/lifewluhkel
https://www.facebook.com/lifewluhkel/
http://vm.tiktok.com/ec4YaY/

Lyrics:
If I said I need you by my side
Just stay close to me
Just keep on holding me telling me you won’t ever leave
I feel like something inside me just keep control of me
But you take all the pain I need your energy
I - I - Im in need of you
I - I Know you see me through
I - I - Ill be there for you
I - I - Ill be there for you

Its a different feeling when all the checks off
Ima chop it Ima chop it till the pack gone
Sometimes I know I’m right but I feel wrong
When your arms not around me I feel all alone
I feel like I’m pacing chasing hoping Ima make it
Its a lot of time and my lifes been super crazy
Praying that one day my brother make it out them cages
You was there for me I swear that I -
If I said I need you by my side
Just stay close to me
Just keep on holding me telling me you won’t ever leave
I feel like something inside me just keep control of me
But you take all the pain I need your energy
I - I - Im in need of you
I - I Know you see me through
I - I - Ill be there for you
I - I - Ill be there for you

Lately I’ve been in my mind I feel I’m faded
Every time you come around my heart is racing
Im grinding so hard I gotta make it
But you told me its going so I’m patient
iv been in my g
It might take some time I’m strong
I need you by my side because I need y’all
And when you tell me I’m that n***a boost my ego
All the way to the stars like the aliens
I know we aint hit the top but are we grazing it
When I look into your eyes its some amazing shit
Thank god you not in love just for the place I’m in

I- I - Im in need of you
I - I Know you see me through
I - I - Ill be there for you
I - I - Ill be there for you

If I said I need you by my side
Just stay close to me
Just keep on holding me telling me you won’t ever leave
I feel like something inside me just keep control of me
But you take all the pain I need your energy
I - I - Im in need of you
I - I Know you see me through
I - I - Ill be there for you
I - I - Ill be there for you

#LuhKel #YOU #INeedYou