District attorney seizes over $59,000 and firearm

A drug arrest has led to the seizure of more than $59,000 and a handgun by the Polk County District Attorney's Office.

An order granting the State $59,130 and a Glock 26 handgun was issued earlier this month by Polk County Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper. The district attorney's office filed the case to forfeit the funds and handgun after Jeffery Hodges was found in possession of over 164 grams of cocaine.

On June 24, 2021, a Polk

County Police officer clocked a Porsche SUV at 84 MPH on U.S. 27 South. The vehicle fled the officer at a high rate of speed until crashing and rolling over on Lake Creek Road.

Officer Kathleen Hansbrough located a bag in the vehicle with banded stacks of $100 bills totaling $56,000. A large amount of various drugs, plastic baggies, scales and mail belonging to Hodges were also located in the bag. Hodges was wearing a fanny pack with the remaining currency and handgun inside.

Assistant District Attorney

Lisa Mason led the forfeiture case for the State. A female associate of Hodges, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, attempted to claim the currency.

“These cases can become very complex with outside claims,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated. “However, Ms. Mason put up a great case and was able to prove that the funds and firearm were tied to the drug trade. We would like to thank the Polk County Police Department for their diligent investigation of the case. The district attorney's office is extremely proud of the result and hope the community can be proud one more drug dealer is off the streets and the money he was making will now go to fight other dealers.”

Smith stated the seizure is a direct result of the DA's office being able to bring in a leading expert in the state on drug asset forfeitures to train officers from every law enforcement department in Polk County on what to look for when arresting suspected drug dealers.

“We are now reaping the rewards of training and better equipping our local officers,” Smith stated.