US v. $186,416.00 in US Currency

In a civil forfeiture action seeking the proceeds of medical marijuana distribution, judgment for the government is reversed where the evidence relied upon by the district court was itself tainted by the illegal search and should have been suppressed, and without the suppressed evidence, the government lacked probable cause to connect the defendant currency to a violation of federal law.

Read US v. $186,416.00 in US Currency

Appellate Information

Argued and Submitted March 12, 2009

Filed October 20, 2009

Judges

Opinion by Judge Clifton

Counsel

For Appellant:

Paul L. Gabbert, Santa Monica, CA

For Appellee:

Christine C. Ewell, Steven R. Welk, P. Greg Parham, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Los Angeles, CA