Opinion ID: 403620
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Forfeiture Actions

Text: 29 In large measure Rolenc's challenge to the forfeiture proceedings is disposed of by our decisions in Part II supra. The property was not seized pursuant to an invalid warrantless arrest (Part II A supra; Rolenc Forfeiture Br. 7); nor did the trial court convict Rolenc on insufficient evidence (Part II D supra; Rolenc Forfeiture Br. 8). All that remains is Rolenc's obviously uphill argument that the evidence, though sufficient to convict him of a drug offense, was not adequate to show that he used either the currency or the Cadillac to commit the crime. 30 As Judge Shadur's forfeiture order demonstrates, 21 this last basis for challenge ignores the essential attributes of a forfeiture proceeding. Rolenc's success or failure depended critically on where the burden of proof lay. The government's burden was only to show probable cause for the forfeiture proceedings, and it surely did so. The burden then shifted to Rolenc as claimant to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the property was not subject to forfeiture. United States v. One 1976 Mercedes Benz 280S, 618 F.2d 453, 456 (7th Cir. 1980); United States v. $22,287 in U. S. Currency, 520 F.Supp. 675, 677-678 (E.D.Mich.1981). Rolenc had to offer proof that the currency was not furnished or intended to be furnished    in exchange for a controlled substance (21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6)) and that the Cadillac was not used, or    intended for use, to transport, or in any manner facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt, possession, or concealment of (a controlled substance) (21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(4)). The task is surely hopeless as to the currency. We think it is likewise doomed as to the Cadillac. Rolenc's arrival in the car at a location far from his south-side home, his participation in the drug transaction at Fleming's house, and the likelihood that he planned to leave as he had come met the government's burden. Rolenc offered nothing but speculation to meet his burden, and speculation must leave the burdened party the loser. Judge Shadur did afford Rolenc another safeguard: he carefully examined the statute and the case law to see if a narrowing construction could make its terms inapplicable as a matter of law. 22 He found no basis to grant Rolenc relief, and neither do we. 31 In Nos. 81-2002 and 2003, the convictions are affirmed. In Nos. 81-2626 and 2627, the forfeiture orders are also affirmed.