CRIME Government wants cash seized in traffic stop

Officials say a Warren man was using the money to deal drugs.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Will a loud muffler cost a Warren man $19,000?
Federal prosecutors have gone to court to keep the money as drug proceeds. The cash was stashed in Jermaine C. Johnson's 1976 Pontiac, which was pulled over for a noisy exhaust on May 5.
The complaint for forfeiture was filed in U.S. District Court this week after Johnson, 28, submitted a claim for the cash to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The cash was originally seized by a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Warren post.
In court papers, James L. Morford, an assistant U.S. attorney, said the $18,991 should be released to the government because it "constitutes proceeds from illegal drug trafficking activities" or was intended to be used in exchange for controlled substances. The case is assigned to Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert in Youngstown. He is expected to sign an order that would publicize the cash amount in a Trumbull newspaper, should anyone wish to lay claim to it.
The traffic stop took place just west of North Road on U.S. 422.
The details
The trooper said in his report that he saw the 1976 Pontiac leave the Royal Mall Apartments in Niles, "known for heavy drug activity." He said the car had loud exhaust and was following another vehicle too closely. He had the patrol dispatcher run the license plate.
The dispatcher advised that a warrant had been issued for Johnson in Trumbull County for failure to pay child support.
Johnson, when pulled over by the trooper, acted very nervous, reports said.
The trooper said he found "several thousand dollars" rolled up in Johnson's pockets. Johnson then said more money was in the Pontiac.
The Warren Police Department sent Berry, a narcotics dog, to the scene. Berry alerted on a blue duffel bag on the front passenger seat.
A red box inside the duffel bag was stuffed with cash and suspected marijuana residue. In all, $18,991 was seized.
Johnson told the trooper that he was unemployed.
The Warren man was arrested on the warrant for failure to pay child support and given citations charging possession of marijuana and following too close. The drug and traffic case is set for trial Dec. 10 in Niles Municipal Court with Judge Thomas Townley, the clerk's office said.
History
Morford's motion for seizure lists Johnson's prior drug convictions:
* In September 2001, Johnson was found guilty in Niles Municipal Court of drug abuse. He received one year's probation and money seized was forfeited to law enforcement.
* In September 1998, Johnson was indicted in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of criminal tools. In February 1999, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of attempted possession of cocaine and attempted possession of criminal tools. He was sentenced to six months in jail and had to forfeit $1,455 seized.
* In April 1996, Johnson was indicted in Ashland County on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and trafficking in marijuana. In February 1997, he pleaded guilty to trafficking and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, reduced from the concealed weapon charge. He was sentenced to one year in prison, and $1,062 seized was forfeited to law enforcement.