DTF auction nets more than $94K
Vehicles and other items seized by law enforcement and auctioned Friday at the city of Hot Springs’ Bill Edwards Center raised more than $94,000.
The proceeds will go to the 18th East Judicial District’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Fund, which, along with federal and state grants and fees collected from drug arrests, supports Garland County’s Drug Task Force. The multiagency unit comprising members of the Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas State Police work to interdict the flow of illegal drugs into the county.
Per the state’s criminal code, 20 percent of the funds are remitted to the Ar-
kansas State Crime Lab Equipment Fund.
The law empowers prosecuting attorneys to file civil claims for assets linked to drug trafficking. Vehicles or any conveyance used in the sale or receipt of controlled substances are subject to forfeiture.
Money and firearms found in close proximity to a controlled substance are also subject to forfeiture, with the burden of proving that the property isn’t linked to illegal activity falling on the person claiming to own it. Real estate is also subject to forfeiture if the associated criminal offense is a Class B felony or higher.
Thirty-four vehicles were auctioned Friday for more than $80,000. Most were forfeited by default, with the owners failing to file timely responses to the prosecutor’s forfeiture claims. Cash or a cashier’s check was the only form of payment accepted Friday, and vehicles were sold as-is, with no warranty. Payment had to be made in full by the end of the auction, and purchases had to be removed from the Bill Edwards Center by day’s end.
A 2006 Pontiac Solstice drew the highest price of the vehicles sold Friday, selling for $5,500. The auction also included a 1997 Regal Cabin Cruiser boat that sold for $5,500, and a 2013 Mahindra 4x4 tractor. The latter attracted the highest price, selling for $15,500.
Arkansas Auction Group & Realty sold the following items at the auction:
• 2002 Lexus 1S3 — $1,250.
• 1998 Nissan Maxima — $850.
• 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe — $3,100.
• 1996 Ford Mustang — $1,900.
• 1995 Ford F5 motor home — $1,500
• 2003 Hyundai XG5 — $350.
• 2005 Honda Accord — $1,400.
• 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante —
$600.
• 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe — $2,400
• 2003 Cadillac Escalade — $4,000.
• 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe — $3,100.
• 2003 Chevrolet 1500 — $4,800.
• 2004 GMC Truck — $1,650.
• 2003 Hyundai Sonata — $450.
• 2006 Mazda MZ6 — $1,700.
• 1998 Buick LeSabre — $900
• 2006 Lincoln Navigator — $3,800.
• 2006 Pontiac Solstice — $5,500.
• 2008 Toyota Prius — $1,200.
• 1999 Chevrolet 1500 truck — $400.
• 1996 Chevrolet Caprice — $1,700.
• 2005 Yamaha motorcycle — $1,700.
• 2001 Ford Mustang — $800.
• 1997 Lincoln Towncar — $650.
• 2006 Cadillac DTS — $1,550.
• 1998 Toyota 4-Runner — $1,600.
• 1987 Chevrolet S-10 — $1,000.
• 2007 Ford Ranger — $1,400.
• 2009 Chevrolet Malibu — $3,500.
• 2005 Cadillac DeVille — $1,600.
• 2007 Infinity G35 — $4,950.
• 2003 Nissan Altima — $1,500.
• 1997 Regal Cabin Cruiser boat with trailer — $5,500.
• 2013 Mahindra 3616 4x4 tractor with loader — $15,500.
• Mantis tiller — $50.
• Scag Tiger Cub zero-turn mower — $1,500.
• Pace American trailer — $850.
• Grasshopper 325D zero-turn mower — $4,600.
• Stihl tree limber — $400.
• Two Stihl weed trimmers — $200.
• Stihl blower — $300.
• Toro FJ180 Turf Master 30-inch mower — $850.
• Toro 190 cc 22-inch mower —
$140.
• Toro TXP 159 cc 22-inch mower
— $67.50.
• Toro Proline mower — $500.
• Troy Built mower — $160.
• Audio equipment — $ 716.50.