United States v. Land, Wisconsin County

HARLINGTON WOOD, Jr., Circuit Judge:

This case began in 1993 when the United States filed the first of two civil actions seeking the in rem forfeiture of the named defendant real estate for its alleged use in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1955 prohibiting illegal gambling. 1 Alabama law broadly defines gambling but also prohibits any gambling not specifically authorized by Alabama law. 2 Cockfighting, the particular gambling in this case, is not specifically authorized by Alabama law. 3 Cockfighting may be defined as pitting two cocks, usually equipped with sharp blades on their legs, in a fight…