Archives: Cases

Rustem was born and raised in Albania and served for 30 years in the Albanian national police force, while Lejla worked as a high school science teacher. In 2005, the family left Albania and settled in Cleveland, Ohio and became American citizens in 2010. Rustem was headed back to Albania, but at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport,…

Anthonia, a U.S. citizen, was traveling with over $40,000 on a trip to her home country of Nigeria, carrying money she had saved to start a medical clinic for women and children. But at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Customs agents seized it all.

Wyoming law enforcement seized Phil’s life savings–$91,800–and pressured him into signing away his cash.  With IJ’s help, he recovered his money and inspired Wyoming lawmakers to ban roadside waivers.

Customs seized and held onto Gerardo Serrano’s truck for over two years because he forgot he’d left five bullets in his center console. He was never charged with a crime.

In early 2016, the San Diego County District Attorney seized over $100,000 in personal bank accounts belonging to James Slatic, his wife Annette, and their two teenage daughters, Lily and Penny, without charging anyone with a crime.

The Platts, who live in Washington State, had their car seized after police pulled over their son—who does not own the car—for a window tint violation in Arizona. One month after IJ got involved, Navajo County prosecutors will return the Platts’ unlawfully seized car.

The IRS seized more than $68,000 from Vocatura’s Bakery because they claimed the owners violated so-called “structuring” laws by depositing cash in the bakery’s bank account in amounts less than $10,000.

While Eh Wah was driving through Oklahoma, the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Department seized more than $53,000 from his car, which included donations to a Thai Orphanage.  Six hours after IJ got involved, the county agreed to return the seized cash.

In June 2014, the government seized his entire bank account—more than $150,000. This was money that Ken worked for years to earn, and that he was counting on for his retirement. Thankfully, after IJ filed a petition on his behalf, the IRS agreed to return his entire life savings.

In 2015, the New Mexico legislature voted unanimously to abolish civil forfeiture. But cities across the state are refusing to follow the law. Now Torraco and Ivey-Soto want to compel Albuquerque to end its illegal use of civil forfeiture once and for all.