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| By Bill Vidonic, Times Staff | 09/25/2002 |
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Posted on 09/25/2002 3:25:03 AM PDT by Glenn
Operation Iceberg seizes car for overdue debt
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BEAVER - Operation Iceberg is afloat. Tuesday, the Beaver County District Attorney's Office and the county's Domestic Relations Department displayed a 1993 Cadillac Seville - a symbol of a first step to squeeze drug dealers for child-support payments, fraudulently obtained welfare payments and delinquent state income taxes. The car was seized Friday from Damien Jefferson, 29, of 1156 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa, who owes about $16,000 in back child support. The car will be sold at a sheriff's sale Oct. 4, and county officials are hoping to get about $5,000 for the car, which go toward paying off Jefferson's debt. District Attorney Dale Fouse said that the majority of drug transactions take place "below the surface," hence the iceberg label for the new program, which Beaver County officials think may be the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. In recent months, Fouse's office has been comparing notes with the domestic relations department to see if his department can help crack down on deadbeat parents. "We will not turn a blind eye to information," Fouse said. On Aug. 5, the Beaver County detectives searched Jefferson's residence looking for drugs and took note of his car. He was charged earlier this month on crack possession charges related to that search. He was also charged June 12 on delivery and possession charges. He is awaiting trial on the June 12 charges but has not had a hearing on the charges filed this month. When county officials learned that Jefferson had fallen far behind on his child-support payments for two children, they decided to seize his car. On Friday, the Beaver County Anti-Drug Task Force and deputy sheriffs went to his home and took possession of the car. Tuesday, Fouse, several of his employees and officials with the domestic relations department took a look at the car while talking about the new program. "This gives us another tool in the toolbox to get these support orders met," said Domestic Relations Assistant Director Joseph G. Signore. Signore said that his office collects nearly $25 million annually in child-support payments. Fouse said that most of the parents in Beaver County make sure they keep up with their payments. "So why should someone in the drug business be able to avoid his obligation?" Fouse asked. Fouse said several county offices, including the sheriff and prothonotary, have agreed to waive their fees associated with a property seizure to make sure as much money as possible can go back to the parents owed the money. The district attorney's office is continuing to work with the state Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Revenue to expand the program. They hope to force drug dealers to reimburse the state for fraudulently obtained welfare compensation and to prosecute income tax evasion. Jefferson did not return a phone message left on his cell phone voicemail Tuesday. He remained free on bail Bill Vidonic can be reached online at bvidonic@timesonline.com. |
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