Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jan 2002
Source: The Dominion Post (WV)
Copyright: 2002 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.dominionpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1426
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

GA. POLICE SEIZE WIDOW'S HOME AFTER SON'S ARREST

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Police have seized the house of an 82-year-old widow 
because they say she knew her son dealt drugs there and did nothing to stop 
him.

Fannie Gresham's small home was seized Thursday under a state law allowing 
authorities to confiscate property linked to the illegal drug trade.

Authorities also arrested her 50-year-old son, Tommie "Top Dollar" Gresham, 
on a drug charge after he allegedly dropped several rocks of crack cocaine 
and fled.

Police records show 29 incidents of drug activity at the address since 1992 
and authorities say drug dealers were caught numerous times fetching drugs 
from the house for street sales.

Based on that, and police claims that the elder, widowed Gresham was 
helping her son's alleged operation, Superior Court Judge Stephen Boswell 
issued a court order in December allowing the seizure. Boswell gave Fannie 
Gresham 14 days to move her belongings.

Her attorney, Jim Smith, likened the seizure to the widespread illegal 
taking of property and land from blacks that he says tarnishes America's past.

"They have never seized any drugs in this house. This lady is not accused 
of a single thing," he said.

Police predicted more such seizures as they crack down on the drug trade in 
the city's troubled neighborhoods.

A hearing on the seizure has been scheduled in February.
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