Diplomatic Security Shares In Drug Dealer's Forfeited Assets

Chuck Rosenberg
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Virginia
 
Fairfax County Police Department Receives More Than $95,000 in Asset Forfeiture
Sharing Agreement with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Fairfax County (VA) Police Chief David M. Rohrer (left) and David Kidd, director of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Office of Investigations and Counterintelligence shake hands March 29, 2007, over a symbolic check representing Fairfax County's share of forfeited assets from a drug case that both agencies successfully investigated and shut down. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PHOTO.

Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David Kidd, Director, Office of Investigations and Counterintelligence, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Department of State; and, Colonel David M. Rohrer, Chief, Fairfax County Police Department, announced today the return to the Fairfax County Police Department of $95,480.94 pursuant to an equitable sharing of seized assets agreement among local and federal law enforcement agencies. This is the first case in which the Bureau of Diplomatic Security has participated in the equitable sharing of seized assets with a local law enforcement agency. The money was forfeited by a drug dealer who was convicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

According to court documents, in late 2004 and continuing to 2005, Fairfax County police began investigating the drug distribution business of Augusto Loyola. On January 28, 2005, Fairfax County Police executed a search warrant at Loyola’s home and the police recovered 235 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, drug distribution paraphernalia, and a firearm. Fairfax Police later executed warrants on bank accounts held by the defendant. Fairfax Police seized $119,449.13 in United States Currency related to the defendant’s drug dealing. In addition, the police discovered a travel document in Loyola’s safety deposit box that was believed to be fraudulent.

The fraudulent travel document was turned over to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for investigation. The defendant agreed to forfeit the seized money as part of his sentence. On June 9, 2006, United States District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema sentenced Loyola to 120 months in prison upon his guilty plea to drug and firearms counts. Judge Brinkema also entered an order forfeiting the $119,449.13 to the United States Government on June 9, 2006.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State. Special Assistant United States Attorney Dennis Fitzpatrick prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

Contact: 
L. Kendal Smith
U.S. Department of State 
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
571-345-2509 
SmithLK2@state.gov

Jim Rybicki
Public Information Officer
703-842-4050
703-549-5202
E-Mail: usavae.press@usdoj.gov
Website: www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae