State v. Mr. P (DMC No. 15843) – Felony Money Laundering ($156,516) – Not Charged – Arizona Department of Public Safety investigated (DR No. 20XX-XXXXX4)

Mr. P was traveling by car from Michigan to Los Angeles. He was on the Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, which is a known drug running corridor. An Officer observed him change lanes behind a semi that was traveling below the speed limit. He then claimed that Mr. P was traveling too closely to the semi, and he pulled him over. 

Upon contact, he noticed a faint odor of Marijuana, and claimed that Mr. P’s hands were trembling, he was jittery and appeared nervous, and had a sickened expression on his face as if he were going to vomit. It was at this point the Officer discovered that the car was a rental, and it was only rented to drive one way. Again, this is another known trait for drug runners. Ultimately, Mr. P’s vehicle was Searched and a lock box was found that had cash in it. Mr. P told the Officers that it wasn’t his money, and he didn’t know whose it was. When they cut the box open there was $156,516 inside. He was then Arrested for Money Laundering and taken down to the Coconino County Superior Court where he was Arraigned and Released. It was at that time he secured the services of DM Cantor.

Mr. P indicated that the money was in fact his, and that he was a musician and kept all of his money out of the bank and kept it in cash. He also stated he never told the Officers that the money was not his. We immediately became involved, and contacted the Coconino County Attorney’s Office and the DPS Officer involved. We explained that this money was his, and that because there were No Drugs or other illegal contraband in the vehicle, that they should return his money and not “Forfeit” it. Ultimately, the decision was made Not to Charge Mr. P. If he was actually Charged with felonious Money Laundering, he could have spent several Years in Prison. Instead, he has No Criminal History.