State v. One Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred Sixty, & 00/100 Dollars ($152,760.00), in United States Currency

NANCY STEFFEN RAHMEYER, Chief Judge.

The State of Missouri appeals the trial court’s judgment that money found during a traffic stop was not subject to forfeiture under § 542.301.1 Because we find § 542.301 is not applicable to the facts of this case, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Funder-burk stopped a rental car driven by Patrick Merow (“Merow”) on Interstate 44 in Greene County for speeding.2 Because Merow and his passenger gave conflicting stories about why they were traveling and because there were fast food wrappers and a map in the front of the car,…