In Re Forfeiture of 1980 Fruehauf Forty-Foot Flatbed Trailer

This cause is before the court on appeal from a judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas wherein that court found that a 1980 Fruehauf forty-foot flatbed trailer was “contraband” as defined in R.C. 2901.01(M). The basis for this finding was the court’s conclusion that the owner of the trailer used or intended to use the trailer in the commission of an offense, to wit, concealed identity, in violation of R.C. 4549.62. Therefore, the court ordered the property forfeited to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Appellant, Charles E. Stoneking, has timely appealed and asserts the following…