Texas Cops Accused of Racist Highway Robbery

Black motorists given the choice of handing over property or facing felony charges

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2009 4:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Cops in a small Texas town are accused of seizing the property of innocent black motorists to pad their salaries, the Chicago Tribune reports. A federal lawsuit alleges that Tehana police have abused the state's asset-forfeiture law—intended to penalize drug-runners—to extort money and other valuables from out-of-town drivers by threatening them with money laundering or other felony charges if they don't comply.

In a two-year period, 147 motorists—many of them African American—signed over belongings to the town but were never charged with any crime, according to records. A prominent state lawmaker, charging that police across Texas are engaging in similar behavior, has introduced a bill requiring police to go before a judge before attempting to seize property.

[Images (2)]

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Texas police are accused of abusing asset-forfeiture laws to extort money from motorists, many of them African Americans. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Police in the Texas town of Tenaha have been accused of "highway piracy'" to boost their budget. (Shutterstock)

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None of these people have been charged with a crime, none were engaged in anything that looked criminal. The sole factor is that they had something that looked valuable.
- David Guillory, an attorney in Nacogdoches who filed the federal lawsuit

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

riffran

Mar 13, 2009 6:40 AM CDT

Well it is the Chicago Tribune, so I am sure there is no misinformation....just kidding...If this is true accounts of what has been going on, those "good ole boys" need to cool it in the hooskow, for a long while.....and as for "hate land"...ever been to Memphis, Little rock, Hell A, Compton, Logan hights in San Diego, queens, Chi Town, or any other urban concentration for that matter?...It's every where, there are NO excluded states.....Oh I forgot, don't be a hoali and walk down town in Nanakuli in Hawaii.....and if asked "You like beef brah?"...don't think they are talking about dietary preference

Guest

Mar 11, 2009 4:14 AM CDT

White people are great!

Guest

Mar 11, 2009 4:14 AM CDT

Cool. Sounds like Mexico is here. Or is that we exported more than guns to Mexico...?

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Chicago Tribune (Source Grid »)

Texas motorists given choice of signing waiver or going to jail
San Antonio Express-News

Texas • money laundering • search and seizure • highways • highway patrol • asset forfeiture

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Texas Cops Accused of Racist Highway Robbery