Cash, jewelry and cars galore – federal judge issues final forfeiture from drug empire
UPDATE:
A federal judge has issued a final forfeiture order against Darrin Jamark “DD” Southall and his co-defendants.
ORIGINAL STORY:
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Three and a half years after a drug kingpin pleaded guilty, prosecutors this week asked a federal judge to issue a final order allowing them to seize the vestiges of his former multimillion-dollar empire.
A judge in 2022 issued a preliminary forfeiture order against Darrin Jamark “DD” Southall and his co-defendants. The U.S. Attorney’s Office asked the judge to convert that to a final order for the following property:
- More than $2.1 million seized from various locations, mostly storage units.
- Assorted jewelry seized from Southall and co-defendant Terrance Watkins.
- 14 vehicles: a 2014 Rolls Royce Wraith, a 1985 Buick Regal Grand National, a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, a Buick Wildcat, a 2007 Mercedes Benz, a 1970 Buick Electra, a 1990 Chevrolet Caprice, a 1972 Chevrolet Impala, a 2015 Dodge Charger, a 1995 Caprice, a 2015 Mercedes, a 2014 Mercedes Benz sedan, a pair of Volkswagen Tiguans, model years 2010 and 2011.
- Four Pirelli tires that agents seized along with the 2007 Mercedes Benz.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also seeks a $24 million money judgment, representing the proceeds from Southall’s drug enterprise from about 2016 through March 24, 2021, as well as an additional $90,000 derived from a money laundering conspiracy that Southall and co-defendant Brandy Thrash pleaded guilty to.
Those were not the only items that law enforcement officers originally seized. But prosecutors are not seeking forfeiture of several items:
- $234 seized by state law enforcement officials.
- $87,727 that prosecutors returned to the lawful owner.
- Four items listed in the indictment but never actually seized: a 2015 Mercedes CLS400, a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado and the contents of an All In Credit Union account.
- A 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe that agents seized but eventually returned to the lienholder.
Under federal forfeiture law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office published notice and contact people who might have an ownership interest in any of the property.
“Several of those given notice asserted an interest in properties that are the subject of the preliminary order of forfeiture,” prosecutors wrote. “The United States has addressed or will address those claims in a separate forum after title is quieted in this criminal case.”
Southall, 46, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. He admitted to running a network involving 4,000 kilograms of cocaine, 24 kilograms of heroin and 2 kilograms of fentanyl. A judge sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
Southall and one of his co-defendants, Watkins, also are charged with murder in the deaths of Tony and Leila Lewis, the grandparents of Mobile-born rapper HoneyKomb Brazy.
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