I am going through Nebraska on my way to a hunting trip. There will be 3 of us in the van and a probably $6,000 in cash. I really don't want this county to take it. I am thinking of detouring around it.

https://www.1011now.com/2023/0...victing-them-crimes/

Oh. My.

That article reads like a who's who of A-holes...

I'm hoping I smell some sarcasm, max, but I can confirm this scam has been going on for a couple decades, at least. I spent a short time in real estate, and a client told me about traveling south on a major highway in Illinois some 20 or more years ago, got stopped by the Illinois State Police for something, and had some $20,000 cash seized that he was on his way to use for a down payment on a house.

He could prove that he was on his way to the closing, but the cops and a judge didn't give a flying fuck, told him he was suspected of drug dealing, and kept the money.

Luckily, I'm too broke to carry that kind of money (sarcasm) but I get nervous about getting stopped here in Illinois if I have even $100 cash with me.

I have never heard of this in Illinois, but Nebraska gets a lot of publicity. I have driven through Seward County for almost 30 years on my trips, but had never heard of this before. I will admit, I am probably speeding out on the prairie.

Does your hometown bank have a branch, or a relationship, with another bank at your destination? If yes, transfer/wire the funds.

After reading that article you posted I would be very nervous about driving through there as well.

WTF? I know that laws permit this, but this is fucking highway robbery. How did this guy manage to lose in the state supreme court?

RMD

I will admit that I’ve noticed county sheriff’s cars sitting in the median west of Lincoln a number of times. I had never heard of this abuse of power, and reading the story linked, I still can’t understand why the subject stopped with $18k couldn’t get his money back; what made the seizure “rock solid?”

I’ve never been pulled over by Seward County SD, take it easy through that stretch and if you do get pulled over I guess you’ll hear the deputy’s P.C. statement at the window.

I’ve heard of this craziness, usually not carrying much cash. I’d be kinda pissed if I felt that type of trap/scam closing in.

I’d go big early.

I went to my credit union and got a few hundred dollars for my first 2 days and a cashier's check I will cash when I get to SD.

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:
WTF? I know that laws permit this, but this is fucking highway robbery. How did this guy manage to lose in the state supreme court?

RMD

Probably because the Nebraska Supreme Court is just as corrupt as the lower courts and police department. Wonder if the guy could have taken his case to the US Supreme Court? There probably needs to be a federal law passed to get rid of this sort of thing and now is the time to do it with Trump in office and the Republicans holding both houses.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:
WTF? I know that laws permit this, but this is fucking highway robbery. How did this guy manage to lose in the state supreme court?

RMD

Probably because the Nebraska Supreme Court is just as corrupt as the lower courts and police department. Wonder if the guy could have taken his case to the US Supreme Court? There probably needs to be a federal law passed to get rid of this sort of thing and now is the time to do it with Trump in office and the Republicans holding both houses.

Wow paint with a broad brush don’t we….

If there is one thing that really gets my blood up it's abuse of power.

This literally IS highway robbery, and it must end.

This is some crazy shit. Not sure how anyone could feel good about doing this to law abiding citizens.

I know this is kind of weird but there is a movie on Netflix called Rebel Ridge where a guy gets this done to him. Almost the exact way. It's fictional and the dude eventually gets even but funny how it's so much like the OP described.

My cashier's check plan did not work. When I got to a small town bank in SD, they refused to cash it.

Instead I took a $2500 advance on my credit card.

I drove through Seward County twice and did not notice any officers along the interstate. I was driving the speed limit and obeying all laws.

You would think that the driver would have to give permission for the cops to search the vehicle.
Just don't give permission and be prepared to wait if they decide to pursue it but then they would have to have probable cause and if you weren't speeding or otherwise behaving improperly they shouldn't have a case.

That very thing happened here. State trooper pulled over a Mexican national who was not an illegal seized 20 grand and kept it. The Mexican made a police report and the trooper was arrested and made to give back the money.Last I saw the trooper was selling office equipment. He had connections so he was not prosecuted.

This has been going on for decades. Tennessee is famous for it, I've heard of it many times in southwest Ohio.
You find that exact car you want out of state, take 25 grand to buy it. Get stopped, don't consent to a search, call the dog, if he wags his tail that's a hit. Take your money.
So, you can spend 30 grand in attorney fees to get your 25 grand back. That's what they count on. Yep, legalized highway robbery. But the local PD gets some shiny new toys.