Pubdate: Tue, 20 Nov 2001
Source: Midland Reporter-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2001 The Midland Reporter-Telegram
Contact:  http://www.mywesttexas.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/264
Author: D. Lance Lunsford

SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL FILE LAWSUIT TO KEEP $17,000

The Midland County Sheriff's Office will attempt to keep the $17,000 seized 
early Saturday morning from a bus passenger traveling through Midland.

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said his office would attempt to retain 
control of the money through the courts.

"We have to file a lawsuit," Painter said. "It will be filed in federal 
court. Other people can lay claim to it."

Deputies from the Midland County Sheriff's Office seized the $17,000 at 
about 3:45 a.m. in the 2500 block of Rankin Highway.

Although the individual was not arrested, deputies did take the money, 
putting the individual back on the bus en route for El Paso.

Lt. Rory McKinney said deputies have been checking out bus stations for 
quite some time to look for possible drug traffic.

"They've been working our buses on a regular basis," McKinney said. 
"They'll just go through there and casually talk to them, and he (the 
individual who had the money) became real nervous, and they asked for 
consent (to search his person and his baggage)."

According to the Midland County Sheriff's office, the deputies interviewed 
all passengers on the bus, and upon questioning of the man, he became uneasy.

"Deputies requested and received consent to search the (white male)," said 
the Midland County Sheriff's office in a statement. "Deputies discovered in 
the front area of the subject's pants, a clear bag containing $17,500 in 
U.S. currency."

Officials said the subject told the deputies the money did not belong to 
him, but it did belong to an individual in El Paso whom the subject did not 
know.

McKinney said there would be no subsequent investigation of the individual 
or the benefactor of the money.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart