6th District Rep. Mark Walker announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Justice will release approximately $350,000 in asset forfeiture funds to the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office:
The funds were frozen in 2012 when the DOJ sued Sheriff Terry Johnson and claimed the department illegally targeted Latinos for arrest and searches. The case went to trial in 2014, and the U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina ruled in Johnson’s favor Aug. 7.
Honeycutt credited the recent development to Walker, who represents the sixth congressional district, and his efforts to get those funds released.
However, DOJ’ s case against Johnson is still not completely resolved, even after judge’s ruling in favor of Johnson. DOJ has filed an intent to appeal the ruling, and Johnson—anticipating the appeal—has switched lawyers, now going with the Winston-Salem – law firm Womble Carlyle.
