Black Business Owner Loses $40K To Texas Police — And They Still Won’t Give It Back

If the Texas deputies who confiscated over $40,000 in cash from Ameal Woods during a 2019 traffic stop had not worn badges, they likely would have faced charges for highway robbery. Backed by state authority, these Harris County sheriff’s deputies seized the funds without probable cause, falsely asserting they were linked to drug trafficking. This civil forfeiture tactic has generated millions for both the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office. In a 2023 civil trial, the prosecution persuaded a jury to validate the seizure despite a lack of evidence against Woods. This system, described by attorney Arif Panju, creates an unconstitutional financial incentive for officers to seize property. Recently, a Texas appeals court ruled that the sheriff’s department must return Woods' money, a significant step against the abusive practice of civil forfeiture that has victimized countless citizens. The court is also examining a class-action lawsuit aimed at permanently halting such unlawful seizures.