Posted on Sep 3, 2021
Marine veteran suing NHP for seizing his $87,000 in life savings during traffic stop
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https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2021/09/02/marine-vet-sues-nevada-highway-patrol-over-seizure-life-savings/ [login to see] /
A Texas man is suing the Nevada Highway Patrol after they seized his life savings of nearly $87,000 during a February traffic stop.
Stephen Lara, 39, a resident of Lubbock, Texas is a 16-year Marine veteran, made the announcement at a press conference in Reno on Wednesday. He said he was driving from Texas to California to see his two daughters when NHP troopers pulled him over on his way into Reno for making an unsafe lane change too close to a tanker truck.
During the traffic stop, Lara said he was asked a series of questions, including whether he had large a amount of money in the vehicle.
Lara, who said he keeps his savings in cash since his days in the Marines, said yes and told officers that he had "a lot" of cash in his backpack in the vehicle.
A Texas man is suing the Nevada Highway Patrol after they seized his life savings of nearly $87,000 during a February traffic stop.
Stephen Lara, 39, a resident of Lubbock, Texas is a 16-year Marine veteran, made the announcement at a press conference in Reno on Wednesday. He said he was driving from Texas to California to see his two daughters when NHP troopers pulled him over on his way into Reno for making an unsafe lane change too close to a tanker truck.
During the traffic stop, Lara said he was asked a series of questions, including whether he had large a amount of money in the vehicle.
Lara, who said he keeps his savings in cash since his days in the Marines, said yes and told officers that he had "a lot" of cash in his backpack in the vehicle.
Marine veteran suing NHP for seizing his $87,000 in life savings during traffic stop
Posted from rgj.com
Marines
Police
Law Enforcement
Lubbock
Posted >1 y ago
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I've heard people carrying large amount of money for auctions. Some to have state or local police seize the money. With little success to the person or person's who had them taken away. Due to the whole idea of suspicion. But some people may not trust banking entities as well. Nothing wrong with that. I still say not grounds for taking anyone's cash ever. Unless you can prove purchase, or sales of any illegal activities along this lines.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel My question might be, why did they ask if he had a large amount of cash to begin with? I was never asked if I had any cash when I was pulled over. I hope it cost the NHP dearly for this. Maybe it will make them think, on second thought, probably not.
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SGT Tim. Wilson
SPC Mark Huddleston Yes there is that capability but we all pretty much know that even if that was the case, it had more to do with his ethnicity and their belief (IMO) that he was on a drug run.
The one thing that I wondered is what if he was on his way to gamble in Reno or just left Reno after hitting a big winning?
The one thing that I wondered is what if he was on his way to gamble in Reno or just left Reno after hitting a big winning?
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SPC Americo Garcia
He also had the right to never tell the officer anything. This traffic stop created forbidden fruit from the tree. Cause it was information not taken under oath. Nor read his rights. Since it was a minor traffic violation. This becomes illegal reaching by the officer's involved.
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