A California trucker is celebrating a major victory after a court ruled that police wrongfully seized his life savings during a traffic stop.
A Routine Stop Turns Into a Nightmare
In 2020, Rae Young Chung, a 70-year-old truck driver, was pulled over in Georgia for minor traffic violations. Despite having limited English, the officer questioned him about his cash, which he kept in envelopes in his truck. The officer, suspicious of Chung’s explanation that the money was his life savings, began to suspect drug trafficking.
The State’s Case Falls Apart
The police seized Chung’s $225,000, claiming it was linked to drug activity. However, after a lengthy legal battle, the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled in Chung’s favor. The court found that the state failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims and that Chung’s explanations for carrying the cash were reasonable.
A Long Road to Justice
While Chung has won back his money, he’s still facing legal fees. His lawyer is working to recover those costs as well. This case highlights the potential for abuse of power when law enforcement seizes assets without strong evidence.
