A C8 Corvette, a bright red Chevrolet Monte Carlo and a Freightliner tow truck ended up together in an evidence photo after a Sept. 2 drug investigation in Washington. Guns, cash, gold jewelry and bags of suspected drugs covered a table in front of them.
The Thurston County Narcotics Task Force had been investigating a convicted felon from Kent whom authorities believed was distributing fentanyl and cocaine into Thurston County. They arrested him Sept. 2 while search warrants were being served at several locations in King County.
He was also wanted in King County in connection with second-degree rape, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. Authorities reported seizing 387 grams of fentanyl, 1,902 grams of cocaine, four firearms, $16,000 in cash and gold jewelry along with the vehicles.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders announced the arrest two days later and posted photos of the seizure. The man was booked into the King County Jail on allegations including second-degree rape, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and cocaine while armed, and four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Quite a Lineup
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The Monte Carlo quickly took over the comments under Sanders’ post.
Full Monte
“When’s the auction for the Monte Carlo Sheriff Sanders,” one person asked.
Another replied, “I got dibs on the Monte!”
Others joined in with questions about an auction, what the car might bring, and how they could get their hands on it.
There is one complication for everyone mentally clearing space in the garage: seized does not mean for sale.
Under Washington’s controlled-substances forfeiture law, vehicles used or intended to facilitate certain illegal drug transactions can be subject to forfeiture. The law also gives people claiming an ownership or possessory interest in seized personal property a chance to contest the process. For personal property, a claim can be filed within 60 days after notice of the seizure is served.
If someone contests the forfeiture, the law-enforcement agency has to establish that the property is subject to forfeiture by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. Property that ultimately is forfeited can be retained for official use or sold.
Thurston County does hold auctions of seized property, and the county says Narcotics Task Force auctions are conducted through Black Lake Towing.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.