Camp Zoe Seized By The Feds

[flytyer57]

I found this article regarding this:

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2010/11/camp_zoe_schwagstock_seized_drugs_attorney_dea_st_louis.php

"Federal asset forfeiture law dates back to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act of 1970, a law aimed at seizing profits earned by organized crime. In 1978 Congress broadened RICO to include drug violations. But it was the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 that made forfeiture the lucrative, widely used law enforcement tool it is today...

...According to a 1992 Cato Institute study examining the early results of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, total federal forfeiture revenues increased by 1,500 percent between 1985 and 1991. The Justice Department's forfeiture fund (which doesn't include forfeitures from customs agents) jumped from $27 million in 1985 to $644 million in 1991; by 1996 it crossed the $1 billion line, and as of 2008 assets had increased to $3.1 billion. According to the government's own data, less than 20 percent of federal seizures involved property whose owners were ever prosecuted."

So the government can claim wrong doing and do a land grab whenever they feel like it.

[jdmidwest]

Tough on crime, yes. But nowhere in the article did it say that there are any charges to a crime against the owner of the property in question.

The actual complaint Camp Zoe Complaint states that undercover individuals witnessed the sale of marijuana, cocaine, lsd, mushrooms, opium, and marijuana laced foods and purchases were made by undercover agents in plain view of the owner and his staff during Swagstock music festivals. That is why the property is being seized, the owner did not try to curb the sale or use of drugs, so he becomes guilty by association?

I still think the property seizure is too harsh, but the drug business should be shut down, some way, some how. And I am sure that is why the neighbors and local law enforcement are joined against the owners.

[fishinwrench]

The actual complaint Camp Zoe Complaint states that undercover individuals witnessed the sale of marijuana, cocaine, lsd, mushrooms, opium, and marijuana laced foods and purchases were made by undercover agents in plain view of the owner and his staff during Swagstock music festivals. That is why the property is being seized, the owner did not try to curb the sale or use of drugs, so he becomes guilty by association?

I still think the property seizure is too harsh, but the drug business should be shut down, some way, some how. And I am sure that is why the neighbors and local law enforcement are joined against the owners.

So undercover agents actually witnessed the individual sale of each individual substance, and positively identified it at the time of the sale, hu ? And nobody was taken into custody ?

I call BS !

[jdmidwest]

So undercover agents actually witnessed the individual sale of each individual substance, and positively identified it at the time of the sale, hu ? And nobody was taken into custody ?

I call BS !

The information provided did not state the outcome of the individuals that were involved in the transactions, that would be separate court documents. This document just states the reason why Camp Zoe and Tableau are involved.

There are probably more cases tied to this investigation, just don't know where to go to find it.

A local stretch of road has been deemed dangerous because two teenagers raced to school one morning. MSHP decided to make it a Travel Safe Zone and double the fines in that area, all violations, any reason, with stepped up patrols. Of course, the original offenders are pushing daisies because of their poor driving skills and did not face any fines. Kinda ironic wouldn't you say.

[flytyer57]

The actual complaint Camp Zoe Complaint states that undercover individuals witnessed the sale of marijuana, cocaine, lsd, mushrooms, opium, and marijuana laced foods and purchases were made by undercover agents in plain view of the owner and his staff during Swagstock music festivals. That is why the property is being seized, the owner did not try to curb the sale or use of drugs, so he becomes guilty by association?

I still think the property seizure is too harsh, but the drug business should be shut down, some way, some how. And I am sure that is why the neighbors and local law enforcement are joined against the owners.

Still, no charges against the owner of the property.

Let's say the feds seen drug deals on your property. Shall they have the right to snatch your land as they see fit? According to your reasoning, you can only answer YES.

[jdmidwest]

Still, no charges against the owner of the property.

Let's say the feds seen drug deals on your property. Shall they have the right to snatch your land as they see fit? According to your reasoning, you can only answer YES.

If I saw the drug deals on my properties, the Castle Doctrine would protect me. I would shoot them as they are clearly endangering my life or property.

If I was to allow a drug transaction, drug use, or other illegal activity on my property and did not take a step to stop it, then I would be as guilty as the ones that are doing it. Although, I would expect the same equal punishment or less than that was dealt to the actual offender, not more harsh as what may be taking place here.

[joeD]

It is quite simple. Tebeau owns a prime piece of real estate in Shannon County. His land is coveted by more than a few people. They figure (correctly) that there is drug use and other illegal affairs taking place on his property. Enter the government. Arrests and bad news ensue. Strong arm tactics and back-door dealing occur (which will never make the news media). Camp Zoe folds without too much fanfare. Ownership passes to another party (without public input or knowledge, of course). That's it. Case closed. The integrity of Shannon County will be restored, and, by proxy, OUR integrity will be restored. Our righteous will has triumphed, so we can once again revel in our moral and civil superiority over those who want to subvert, nay, PERVERT, the American way of life. Those godless heathens will therefore be banished to some forsaken spot where their uncivilized ways can corrupt no more. Once again, we bow under the pressure of a benign government...

"But talkin' about it and bein' it - that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." George, from "Easy Rider"

[eric1978]

It is quite simple. Tebeau owns a prime piece of real estate in Shannon County. His land is coveted by more than a few people. They figure (correctly) that there is drug use and other illegal affairs taking place on his property. Enter the government. Arrests and bad news ensue. Strong arm tactics and back-door dealing occur (which will never make the news media). Camp Zoe folds without too much fanfare. Ownership passes to another party (without public input or knowledge, of course). That's it. Case closed. The integrity of Shannon County will be restored, and, by proxy, OUR integrity will be restored. Our righteous will has triumphed, so we can once again revel in our moral and civil superiority over those who want to subvert, nay, PERVERT, the American way of life. Those godless heathens will therefore be banished to some forsaken spot where their uncivilized ways can corrupt no more. Once again, we bow under the pressure of a benign government...

"But talkin' about it and bein' it - that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." George, from "Easy Rider"

I'd say that's about the best and most likely correct speculation we've seen thus far.

[ozark trout fisher]

I'd say that's about the best and most likely correct speculation we've seen thus far.

I'd say you're full of it.

It seems that the guy allowed the sale and use of hard drugs on his property. He made all kinds of money off that atmosphere. And now he is losing his money and his land. That seems like a pretty predictable and just result in my mind. I'm not sure I like the process in which it was done, but it is still the right result.

Frankly, I'd rather see them clean up the Riverways before they worry about a private campground and concert venue. But the idea that some people actually seem to feel sorry for the property owner in this case, and sympathize with him is unimaginable to me. I know people who have died as a result of these drugs. This is not some victimless offense.

And you also have to remember that people are driving out of that place high as a kite, onto a curvy, already dangerous Highway 19. Sounds like a recipe to get some innocent people killed.

[eric1978]

I'd say you're full of it.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs and BP continue to report record profits...wake up, man.