Opinion ID: 2997534
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Calhoun’s Story

Text: On February 27, 2001, the government filed a verified complaint of forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), alleging that the seized cash “constitute[s] proceeds of narcotics trafficking and [was] intended to facilitate a narcotics transaction, or [was] to be furnished in exchange for narcotics. . . .” Shortly thereafter, Calhoun, despite his earlier disclaimer of ownership of the cash, filed an answer and a verified claim for the $30,670. Discovery ensued, and additional facts emerged regarding Calhoun’s Phoenix trips and the sources of his cash hoard. Regarding his aborted trip on September 5, 2000, Calhoun testified in his deposition that he recently had lost his job in Chicago, so he was traveling to Phoenix to “start over”—in other words, to move there permanently. He planned to find work there and to continue a budding relationship with a young woman identified as “Rochelle,” whom he had met at a Phoenix barber shop. Calhoun could not, however, recall Rochelle’s last name, stating that it was “either Brown or Burns.” Calhoun was similarly unable to provide Rochelle’s address or phone number. Calhoun further testified that he had made a total of three previous trips to Phoenix in July and August 2000. He No. 02-2899 5 always purchased one-way tickets under his own name and flew American Trans Air (“ATA”). He claimed to have stayed at the same hotel in Phoenix on each trip. He could not, however, remember which hotel (“I stayed at a hotel on 55th and the [I-10] expressway. I think it’s called Holiday Inn or the Hampton Inn or something.”). Calhoun testified that he did not know anyone in Phoenix and did not visit anyone while there. He also claimed that he filled out “a couple of [job] applications” but could not provide details of these prospective employers other than his mention of one unnamed gas station, which never responded to his application. He indicated that each of his stays in Phoenix lasted less than a week. He also testified that while in Phoenix on his first trip, he spent more than $300, and he spent about $700 on each of his subsequent trips. As for the sizable hoard of cash stashed in his girdle and gym bag, Calhoun indicated that he had accumulated the cash from various sources, including savings and gambling earnings that he started to accumulate in 1994 or 1995. He provided no evidence, such as receipts or bank statements, to substantiate these claims.