Com. v. $182.00 Cash, et seq. ~ Appeal of: M. Wisotzkey ( 2018 )

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania :
:
v. : No. 299 C.D. 2017
: SUBMITTED: June 8, 2018
$182.00 Cash, et. seq. :
:
Appeal of: Matthew Wisotzkey :
BEFORE: HONORABLE P. KEVIN BROBSON, Judge
HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
HONORABLE ELLEN CEISLER, Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE CEISLER FILED: September 12, 2018
Matthew Wisotzkey appeals, pro se, from the February 3, 2017 Order of the
Court of Common Pleas of York County (Trial Court), which granted in part the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s (Commonwealth) Petition for Forfeiture and
granted in part Wisotzkey’s Motion for Return of Property. Because we conclude that
the Commonwealth failed to prove a substantial nexus between certain forfeited items
and unlawful drug activity, we affirm in part and reverse in part.
Background
On October 14, 2014, Officer Adam Bruckhart and other members of the York
County Drug Task Force executed search warrants at two properties in York,
Pennsylvania: a residential property located at 420 West Princess Street and a nearby
garage located at 223 South Mill Lane. Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 2.
When the officers executed the search warrant at 420 West Princess Street,
Wisotzkey was inside the residence and holding an assault rifle, which the officers
seized. Notes of Testimony (N.T.), 2/3/17, at 13, 21. During their search of the
residence, the officers discovered a small amount of marijuana, $182 in cash, a
handgun, a revolver, various hand tools, jewelry, collectible coins, two stun guns, a cell
phone, and an Igloo cooler containing stamps and music records. Trial Ct. Op.,
11/22/17, at 3; N.T., 2/3/17, Cmwlth. Ex. 2. In the third-floor attic, the officers
discovered a defunct marijuana-growing operation and seized various marijuana-
growing equipment. N.T., 2/3/17, at 7, 21-22. The officers also found and seized
property deeds, including a deed to 420 West Princess Street, and a lease agreement
for 223 South Mill Lane. Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 3. Wisotzkey was in possession
of keys to the 223 South Mill Lane garage. Id.
During their search of 223 South Mill Lane, the officers discovered an active
marijuana-growing operation. N.T., 2/3/17, at 7. They seized 324 live marijuana plants
(with an estimated value of $150,000) and various marijuana-growing equipment,
including fans, ladders, ventilation systems, artificial lighting, and dehumidifiers. Id.
at 8, 12. The officers also seized a floor jack, a security camera, storage containers, a
box of fireworks, and a weed whacker. Id.; N.T., 2/3/17, Cmwlth. Ex. 1.
A criminal record check revealed that Wisotzkey was a convicted felon not
authorized to possess a firearm. Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 4. Police arrested
Wisotzkey and charged him with persons not to possess firearms, manufacture of
marijuana, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Id. at 2; N.T., 2/3/17, at
5.
On December 11, 2014, the Commonwealth filed a Petition for Forfeiture of the
seized items pursuant to former Sections 6801 and 6802 of the Judicial Code, which
were commonly known as the Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act (Forfeiture Act),
2
42 Pa. C.S. §§ 6801-6802. Original Record (O.R.), Item No. 2.1 On December 18,
2014, the Trial Court issued a Rule to Show Cause why the Petition for Forfeiture
should not be granted. Id. There is no record evidence showing that either the Petition
for Forfeiture or the Rule to Show Cause was served on Wisotzkey at that time.2
Wisotzkey did not respond to either filing.
On April 23, 2016, Wisotzkey filed a Motion for Return of Property in his
underlying criminal case.3 Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 4; Cmwlth.’s Br. at 6. On April
25, 2016, the Trial Court held a pre-trial hearing in the criminal case. Cmwlth.’s Br.
at 6. After that hearing, the Commonwealth served a copy of its Petition for Forfeiture
on Wisotzkey. Am. 1925(b) Stmt., ¶ I(C)(2)(b).
On July 21, 2016, a jury convicted Wisotzkey of the above-referenced criminal
charges. Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 4. On September 27, 2016, the Trial Court
sentenced Wisotzkey to an aggregate term of 7½ to 15 years in prison. Id.
On September 30, 2016, the Commonwealth filed a Motion to Set Forfeiture
Hearing Date in the instant matter, and the Trial Court scheduled a hearing for
December 20, 2016. Wisotzkey appeared at the December 20, 2016 hearing without
1
After the conclusion of the forfeiture proceedings in the Trial Court, the General Assembly
repealed this version of the Forfeiture Act by the Act of June 29, 2017, P.L. 247, effective July 1,
2017. The Forfeiture Act is now codified at Sections 5801-5808 of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa. C.S. §§
5801-5808. However, the former Forfeiture Act, cited above, was in effect at all times relevant to
this appeal.
The Proof of Service appended to the Commonwealth’s Petition for Forfeiture states that
2
service was made, by certified mail, on Desiree R. McClain, 2044 Swatara Street, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. O.R., Item No. 2. There is no indication in the record who Desiree McClain is or why
the Petition for Forfeiture was sent to McClain and not to Wisotzkey. The Trial Court docket entries
show that the Rule to Show Cause was mailed to Wisotzkey but was returned as “undeliverable.” Id.,
Item No. 1.
3
Wisotzkey’s Motion for Return of Property is not included in the certified record in this
appeal.
3
counsel. After questioning by the Trial Court, Wisotzkey indicated that he wished to
have the assistance of counsel in the forfeiture matter. The following exchange
occurred on the record:
THE COURT: So, Mr. Wisotzkey, is it your intention to proceed,
representing yourself on the forfeiture?
[WISOTZKEY]: If I have to proceed without stand[-]by counsel, yes, I
guess so.
THE COURT: What are you asking for, because you haven’t asked for
anything regarding counsel in this proceeding, sir?
[WISOTZKEY]: Well, I haven’t been – I tried to communicate with
[Jonelle] Eshbach [(Wisotzkey’s appellate counsel in the criminal case)]
about this proceeding, and I haven’t received an answer yet, so I’m kind
of – don’t know exactly where I stand.
THE COURT: You’re kind of what?
[WISOTZKEY]: I don’t know exactly where I stand as far as counsel.
THE COURT: Well, Attorney [Jared M.] Mellott [(Commonwealth’s
counsel)], based on what you just said, he’s not entitled to court-appointed
counsel. At the same time, he cannot afford counsel. That’s pretty
obvious to me. So what are you asking? Do you want him to have counsel
or you don’t want him to have counsel?
ATTORNEY MELLOTT: Doesn’t matter to me. I just noticed in our
new forfeiture petitions, the newer template, we are very clear about
letting claimants know their right to counsel. But this, I noticed, is the
older version . . . .
So I want to make it clear he does have the right to counsel. Just
because he may be indigent, though, does not mean he would be
entitled to court-appointed counsel. He would be able to seek the
services of MidPenn Legal Services or another referral from the York
County Bar Association.
4
THE COURT: Is that what you wish to do, sir?
[WISOTZKEY]: I believe so, Your Honor. I’m looking at losing about
$30,000.00 worth of inventory that [the Commonwealth] seized from
my properties.
N.T., 12/20/16, at 3-5 (emphasis added).4
The Trial Court then rescheduled the forfeiture hearing for February 3, 2017, to
allow Wisotzkey to obtain counsel, noting that “if [Wisotzkey] is interested in pursuing
legal services, . . . he [must] do so prior to [February 3, 2017].” Id. at 6.
On February 3, 2017, Wisotzkey appeared at the forfeiture hearing without
counsel. When the Trial Court remarked that Wisotzkey was again without counsel,
Wisotzkey stated, “Yes, Your Honor. That’s true. I thank you for the referral [of
counsel]. I contacted them but I got no response from the lawyers referral service.”
N.T., 2/3/17, at 5. Wisotzkey did not request additional time to obtain counsel, and the
hearing proceeded without objection.
Both Officer Bruckhart and Wisotzkey testified at the February 3, 2017 hearing.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Trial Court granted the Commonwealth’s Petition
for Forfeiture of all items except the floor jack, the drill, and the hand tools and directed
the Commonwealth to return those items to Wisotzkey. Wisotzkey now appeals to this
Court.5
4
Our Supreme Court has held that indigent claimants are not entitled to court-appointed
counsel in civil forfeiture proceedings. Com. v. $9,847.00 U.S. Currency, 704 A.2d 612, 617 (Pa.
1997) (holding that the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause does not provide a constitutional
right to the appointment of counsel in civil forfeiture proceedings under the Forfeiture Act).
5
On appeal from a civil forfeiture proceeding, this Court’s review is limited to determining
whether the Trial Court’s findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and whether the Trial
Court abused its discretion or committed an error of law. Com. v. $301,360.00 U.S. Currency, 182
A.3d 1091, 1096 n.9 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018).
5
Analysis
On appeal, Wisotzkey raises the following issues:6 (1) whether the
Commonwealth failed to timely serve the Petition for Forfeiture on Wisotzkey; (2)
whether the Trial Court erred in finding that Wisotzkey requested a continuance at the
December 20, 2016 forfeiture hearing; (3) whether the forfeiture hearings were time-
barred; (4) whether the Trial Court incorrectly advised Wisotzkey at the February 3,
2017 forfeiture hearing that he was precluded from “rehashing” the merits of his
suppression motion from the underlying criminal case; and (5) whether the Trial Court
erred in granting the Petition for Forfeiture as to certain seized items because the
Commonwealth failed to prove a substantial nexus between the items and any illegal
drug activity.
1. Service of Petition for Forfeiture
Wisotzkey first asserts that the Commonwealth failed to timely serve him with
the Petition for Forfeiture. Although Wisotzkey does not specifically reference due
process in his brief, he is effectively claiming that his due process rights were violated
by the late service.
To comply with due process in a forfeiture proceeding, the Commonwealth must
provide the property owner “with adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard.”
Com. v. All That Certain Lot or Parcel of Land Located at 605 Univ. Drive, 104 A.3d
411, 426 n.17 (Pa. 2014); see also Com. v. Mosley, 702 A.2d 857, 860 (Pa. 1997)
(recognizing that “notice and [an] opportunity to be heard are integral to forfeiture
proceedings”).
Here, although it appears that the Commonwealth failed to properly serve
Wisotzkey at the time it filed its Petition for Forfeiture, see supra note 2, Wisotzkey
6
In his Statement of Questions Involved, Wisotzkey presents numerous issues and sub-issues,
which we have re-worded and re-organized for clarity.
6
concedes that the Commonwealth served the Petition on him after the April 25, 2016
hearing in his criminal case. See Am. 1925(b) Stmt., ¶ I(C)(2)(b). Wisotzkey
subsequently appeared at both forfeiture hearings, cross-examined the
Commonwealth’s witness, and presented his own testimony and argument before the
Trial Court. Thus, Wisotzkey was not denied the opportunity to be heard, nor does he
allege that he was prejudiced in his ability to defend against the Petition for Forfeiture
by the late service. Therefore, we find no due process violation.
2. Continuance of December 20, 2016 Hearing
Wisotzkey asserts that the Trial Court erroneously construed his statements at
the December 20, 2016 hearing as a request for a continuance of the forfeiture hearing.
Wisotzkey’s only discussion of this issue is the following sentence: “[Wisotzkey] did
not submit a Motion for Continuance or move the [Trial] Court for a continuance.”
Wisotzkey’s Br. at 10 (emphasis in original). While it is true that Wisotzkey did not
explicitly request a continuance, Wisotzkey clearly acquiesced to the continuance by
informing the Trial Court that he wished to have counsel for the forfeiture proceeding.
See N.T., 12/20/16, at 5. Moreover, Wisotzkey fails to explain in his brief how he was
prejudiced by the continuance, particularly where the record shows that the sole
purpose of the continuance was to allow him to obtain counsel. See N.T., 12/20/16, at
3-5; Trial Ct. Op., 11/22/17, at 9-10; see also N.T., 2/3/17, at 5. Therefore, we conclude
that this claim lacks merit.
3. Timeliness of Forfeiture Hearings
Next, Wisotzkey contends that the forfeiture hearings were time-barred because
both hearings occurred more than two years after the Commonwealth’s seizure of the
items. We disagree.
7
Section 5524(5) of the Judicial Code provides that “[a]n action upon a statute
for a civil penalty or forfeiture shall be commenced within two years.” 42 Pa. C.S. §
5524(5) (emphasis added). Here, the Commonwealth seized the items on October 14,
2014, and filed its Petition for Forfeiture two months later, on December 11, 2014.
Further, Wisotzkey concedes that the Commonwealth served the Petition for Forfeiture
on him in April 2016, see Am. 1925(b) Stmt., ¶ I(C)(2)(b), which was also within the
two-year limitations period. Wisotzkey has cited no legal authority, nor have we found
any, requiring that a forfeiture hearing must take place within the two-year period for
commencing a forfeiture action. Therefore, we reject this claim.
4. Trial Court’s Statements at February 3, 2017 Hearing
Wisotzkey asserts that the Trial “Court err[ed] in its instruction given to
[Wisotzkey] on page 34, lines 11-14 and 22-24 of the Forfeiture Hearing, February 3,
2017” and that Wisotzkey “could not assume from the instruction given . . . that the
[Trial] Court ‘meant’ to advise him [that] he was not allowed to rehash the Suppression
Hearing of April 4, 2016.” Wisotzkey’s Br. at 4, 6. Aside from these two statements,
Wisotzkey fails to explain this claim in his brief. The Argument section of his brief
contains no discussion whatsoever related to these assertions. Because Wisotzkey
failed to develop this claim in any meaningful way for appellate review, it is waived.
See Wirth v. Com., 95 A.3d 822, 837 (Pa. 2014) (“Where an appellate brief fails to . . .
develop an issue in any . . . meaningful fashion capable of review, that claim is
waived.”) (quotations omitted); Pa. R.A.P. 2119(a).
5. Trial Court’s Grant of Petition for Forfeiture
a. Items Seized from 420 West Princess Street
Wisotzkey argues that the Trial Court erred in granting the Petition for Forfeiture
because the Commonwealth failed to establish a substantial nexus between the
8
following items seized from 420 West Princess Street and unlawful drug activity: $182
in cash, collectible coins, stamps, property deeds, jewelry, music records, and two stun
guns. Wisotzkey does not challenge the forfeiture of the remaining items seized from
that property.7 As such, we limit our analysis to only the specified items.
Section 6801(a)(6)(i)(A) and (B) of the Forfeiture Act provided that the
following items may be forfeited to the Commonwealth:
(A) Money, negotiable instruments, securities or other things of value
furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a
controlled substance in violation of The Controlled Substance, Drug,
Device and Cosmetic Act [(Drug Act)8], and all proceeds traceable to such
an exchange.
(B) Money, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value
used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of [the Drug Act].
Former 42 Pa. C.S. § 6801(a)(6)(i)(A), (B). Because “the law generally disfavors
forfeitures,” the Forfeiture Act must “be strictly construed.” Com. v. $301,360.00 U.S.
Currency, 182 A.3d 1091, 1097 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018) (quotation omitted).
In a forfeiture proceeding, “the Commonwealth bears the initial burden of
demonstrating, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a substantial nexus exists
between the seized property and a violation of the [Drug] Act.” Com. v. $6,425.00
Seized from Esquilin, 880 A.2d 523, 529 (Pa. 2005). “A preponderance of the evidence
is tantamount to a ‘more likely than not’ standard.” Id. The Commonwealth may
7
In his brief, Wisotzkey also challenges the forfeiture of his cell phone. Wisotzkey’s Br. at
7. However, in the Trial Court, Wisotzkey challenged only the seizure of $182 in cash, collectible
coins, property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music records, and stun guns from 420 West Princess Street.
See N.T., 2/3/17, at 37; see also O.R., Item No. 16, at 2. Therefore, Wisotzkey has waived his
challenge to the forfeiture of his cell phone. See Pa. R.A.P. 302(a); Com. v. $4,000.00 in U.S.
Currency, 49 A.3d 21, 23 n.4 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012).
8
Act of April 14, 1972, P.L. 233, as amended, 35 P.S. §§ 780-101 to 780-144.
9
satisfy its burden by circumstantial evidence, but it must show “more than a mere
suspicion of a nexus.” $301,360.00 U.S. Currency, 182 A.3d at 1097. If the
Commonwealth establishes a substantial nexus, then the burden shifts to the claimant
to prove that he or she owns the property, lawfully acquired the property, and did not
unlawfully use or possess it. Id.; Former 42 Pa. C.S. § 6802(j).
(1) $182 in Cash
First, Wisotzkey challenges the forfeiture of $182 in cash found in various
locations within the 420 West Princess Street residence. When money is found “in
close proximity” to drugs, a rebuttable presumption arises that the money is related to
illegal drug activity. Former 42 Pa. C.S. § 6801(a)(6)(ii).9 The Commonwealth may
satisfy its burden of demonstrating a substantial nexus between the money and
unlawful drug activity by relying solely on the close-proximity presumption. Com. v.
$34,440.00 U.S. Currency, 174 A.3d 1031, 1040 (Pa. 2017). If the Commonwealth
establishes the requisite nexus, then the burden shifts to the claimant to prove he or she
owns the money, acquired it lawfully, and did not unlawfully use or possess it. Com.
v. $16,208.38 U.S. Currency Seized From Holt, 635 A.2d 233, 235 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993).
With regard to the $182 in cash, Officer Bruckhart testified on direct
examination that the officers recovered the cash from two locations inside the 420 West
Princess Street residence—$40 from the top of a second-floor dresser and $142 from
the top of a desk in the living room. N.T., 2/3/17, at 12. Critically, Officer Bruckhart
did not testify that drugs were present in either of those areas or that the cash was
packaged in a manner suggestive of drug proceeds. See id. While Officer Bruckhart
9
Section 6801(a)(6)(ii) of the Forfeiture Act provided: “Such money and negotiable
instruments found in close proximity to controlled substances possessed in violation of [the Drug Act]
shall be rebuttably presumed to be proceeds derived from the selling of a controlled substance in
violation of the [Drug Act].” Former 42 Pa. C.S. § 6801(a)(6)(ii).
10
testified that “a small amount of marijuana” was found inside the residence, id. at 24,
he did not specify where the marijuana was located.10
On cross-examination, Officer Bruckhart stated that the officers seized the cash
because it “was in close proximity to marijuana.” Id. at 23. Aside from Officer
Bruckhart’s isolated statement on cross-examination, however, there is no evidence of
record showing that the $182 in cash was, in fact, near any of the marijuana recovered
from the residence. Significantly, the inventory receipts entered into evidence do not
identify where in the multi-story residence the “Ziploc bags of suspected marijuana”
were found. Id., Cmwlth. Ex. 2. Simply because Officer Bruckhart uttered the words
“in close proximity,” with no other testimony or evidence to support that assertion, is
insufficient to invoke the presumption in Section 6801(a)(6)(ii) the Forfeiture Act. See
Com. v. $26,556.00 Seized From Polidoro, 672 A.2d 389, 392 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996) (“As
to William Polidoro, the drugs found in the basement of a building in which he was
located were not in such close proximity or sufficiently connected to the cash found in
his pants pocket so as to constitute proof that such cash was drug proceeds.”); see also
$34,440.00 U.S. Currency, 174 A.3d at 1037 (finding that money and drugs were “in
close proximity” where “both were found within arm’s-length of each other inside the
vehicle,” thereby triggering Forfeiture Act’s rebuttable presumption).11
10
According to Officer Bruckhart, “I would say we found less than 30 grams of marijuana at
[Wisotzkey’s] house.” N.T., 2/3/17, at 24.
11
Our Supreme Court has considered a similar issue in the criminal context. In
Commonwealth v. Hanson, 82 A.3d 1023 (Pa. 2013), the Supreme Court addressed the meaning of
the phrase “in close proximity” in the mandatory minimum sentence provision for firearm possession
in Section 9712.1(a) of the Sentencing Code, 42 Pa. C.S. § 9712.1(a). The Hanson Court “agree[d]
with those jurisdictions which have defined ‘in close proximity’ as ‘very near.’” 82 A.3d at 1038.
The Supreme Court held that while “courts considering close proximity for purposes of Section
9712.1(a) [of the Sentencing Code] should not be unduly restrictive,” they “should not be applying
an ‘expansive’ approach.” Id. Therefore, the Supreme Court rejected the Commonwealth’s theory
11
Officer Bruckhart also testified on cross-examination that the officers seized the
cash because they had previously “sent artificial funds into [Wisotzkey’s] house,”
referring to controlled drug buys that pre-dated the execution of the search warrants.
N.T., 2/3/17, at 23. However, when asked whether the officers recovered any of the
pre-recorded buy money during the search, Officer Bruckhart replied, “I don’t think
we recovered any.” Id. We conclude that the Commonwealth failed to establish a
substantial nexus between the $182 in cash seized from 420 West Princess Street and
unlawful drug activity. See Com. v. $9,000 U.S. Currency, 8 A.3d 379, 388 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2010) (recognizing that “[i]t is not against the law to carry cash”). Because
the Commonwealth failed to satisfy its initial burden, the burden of proving lawful
ownership of the cash never shifted to Wisotzkey. Thus, the Trial Court erred in
forfeiting the $182 in cash to the Commonwealth.
(2) Collectible Coins
Next, Wisotzkey challenges the forfeiture of collectible coins seized from the
420 West Princess Street residence.12 Officer Bruckhart testified that, based on his
investigation, he did not believe Wisotzkey was employed or had a source of income
aside from the marijuana-growing operation. N.T., 2/3/17, at 8. Officer Bruckhart
opined that the collectible coins were “just a store of value” and stated that the officers
that drugs and a handgun were “in close proximity” to each other when they were found in different
rooms on the same floor of a two-story house, where “the Commonwealth had not developed much
detail concerning the closeness . . . of the handgun and the drugs.” Id. at 1028, 1038-39. In so holding,
the Court noted that penal statutes, like the civil Forfeiture Act, are to be strictly construed. Id. at
1038 n.21.
12
There is a discrepancy in the record regarding where the collectible coins were located.
Officer Bruckhart testified that the coins were “in the Igloo cooler.” N.T., 2/3/17, at 17. According
to the inventory receipts, however, the “misc[ellaneous] coins” were located inside an “under[-]bed
drawer” in a second-floor bedroom, and the Igloo cooler contained only “stamps and 45 records.”
Id., Cmwlth. Ex. 2.
12
seized them “because [they] believe[d] that was where some of the drug proceeds were
stored.” Id. at 17. Officer Bruckhart explained:
[T]here were [sic] several hundred thousand dollars worth of marijuana
there and only 100 some dollars worth of cash, so I would believe that any
proceeds would have been stored in some way. Sometimes it’s vehicles,
bank accounts, electronics, but there was no evidence of that occurring.
So the only thing of value in the residence was the coins.
...
I believe that [Wisotzkey was] making potentially hundreds of
thousands of dollars selling marijuana, yet had nothing of value other
than the coins.
Id. at 18-19 (emphasis added). Officer Bruckhart offered no other testimony regarding
the collectible coins.13
In his brief, Wisotzkey cites Commonwealth v. $4,000.00 in United States
Currency, 49 A.3d 21 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012), in support of his claim that the
Commonwealth failed to prove a substantial nexus between the coins and drug activity.
In that case, police officers executed a search warrant at the claimant’s residence and
seized, among other items, a flat-screen television. Id. at 22-23. At the forfeiture
hearing, the detective testified that he believed that the claimant must have purchased
the television with drug proceeds because the claimant was unemployed at the time of
his arrest. Id. at 24. The detective testified, however, that he did not know when or
how the claimant acquired the television. Id. On appeal, this Court reversed the Trial
Court’s forfeiture of the television to the Commonwealth, concluding:
13
Notably, the Commonwealth proffered no evidence regarding the type of coins seized or
the estimated value of the seized coin collection.
13
While it is true that an otherwise legal item can become derivative
contraband if it is tied to illegal drug activity, the Commonwealth here
offered no proof of a nexus between the television and [the claimant’s]
drug activity. Detective Boyer testified that he “assumed” [the claimant]
acquired the television in a drug transaction because [he] did not have a
job at the time of his arrest; however, Detective Boyer also admitted that
he did not know when [the claimant] acquired the television. Absent any
evidence as to when or how [the claimant] came to possess the
television, we conclude that the Commonwealth failed to prove that it
was more likely than not that the television was derived from [his]
drug activity.
Id. at 24-25 (emphasis added).
Here, Officer Bruckhart testified that the collectible coins “were the only thing[s]
of value” in Wisotzkey’s residence and that he believed the coins were purchased with
drug proceeds because Wisotzkey was not employed at the time of the seizure. N.T.,
2/3/17, at 8, 17-19. Like the detective in $4,000 in United States Currency, Officer
Bruckhart offered no evidence as to when or how Wisotzkey came to possess the coins.
In fact, Officer Bruckhart admitted that he had “no idea” when Wisotzkey acquired the
coins and that they “[c]ould be” family heirlooms. Id. at 19. The Commonwealth’s
attorney also did not question Wisotzkey about his possession of the coins when he
took the witness stand. Therefore, we conclude that Officer Bruckhart’s testimony was
insufficient to prove a substantial nexus between the coins and illegal drug activity.
See also Singleton v. Johnson, 929 A.2d 1224, 1227 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007) (stating that
the Commonwealth must prove “a specific nexus between the property and the criminal
activity”); Com. v. One 1985 Dark Blue Mercedes Benz Car, 571 A.2d 482, 485 (Pa.
Super. 1990) (concluding that forfeiture of the claimant’s vehicle was improper
because the Commonwealth failed to prove the claimant used the vehicle to facilitate a
drug transaction or that the claimant purchased the vehicle with drug proceeds).
14
Because the Commonwealth failed to meet its initial burden of establishing a
substantial nexus between the coins and illegal drug activity, the burden never shifted
to Wisotzkey to prove his lawful ownership of the coins. Therefore, we conclude that
the Trial Court erred in forfeiting the collectible coins to the Commonwealth.
(3) Property Deeds, Jewelry, Stamps, Music Records, and Two Stun Guns
The property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music records, and two stun guns seized
from 420 West Princess Street are not contraband per se. To obtain the forfeiture of
those items, the Commonwealth was required to show, by a preponderance of evidence,
that they were derivative contraband. Polidoro, 672 A.2d at 392. “Derivative
contraband is property that is, of itself, amenable to legal use but has been used [to
perpetrate] an unlawful act or for unlawful purposes.” Id. at 392 n.6. However,
“property is not derivative contraband merely because it is owned by . . . a drug
offender for legitimate purposes.” Mercedes Benz Car, 571 A.2d at 485.
With regard to the property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music records, and stun guns
seized from 420 West Princess Street, Officer Bruckhart offered no testimony
whatsoever establishing a connection, let alone a substantial nexus, between any of
those items and unlawful drug activity. Our Court has stated:
Objects do not acquire “guilt by association” merely because they are
owned by a person who has been engaged in criminal conduct. The
Commonwealth cannot deprive a person of his or her property and thereby
impose a penalty upon him by seizing his property without showing that
the property was derived from or was used to further criminal activity.
The requirement that a sufficient nexus exist between the property and the
prohibited criminal activity serves to mitigate the potentially harsh results
of permitting the Commonwealth to penalize a citizen by a civil action
against his property rather than a criminal action against his person.
15
$4,000.00 in U.S. Currency, 49 A.3d at 24 (quoting Mercedes Benz Car, 571 A.2d at
485); see also Polidoro, 672 A.2d at 392 (“Although it can become derivative
contraband if it is connected with illegal drug activity, [here] the Commonwealth failed
to offer even a scintilla of evidence that the [claimant’s] automobile had been used in
the conduct of or to further illegal drug transactions.”).
Because the Commonwealth failed to satisfy its initial burden of proving a
substantial nexus between the property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music records, and stun
guns14 and illegal drug activity, the burden of proving lawful ownership of the items
never shifted to Wisotzkey. We conclude that the Trial Court erred in forfeiting these
items to the Commonwealth.
b. Items Seized from 223 South Mill Lane
In the Argument section of his brief, Wisotzkey also asserts that “[t]he
Commonwealth failed to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, [Wisotzkey’s]
knowledge[] and consent in the misuse of” the garage at 223 South Mill Lane as a
marijuana-growing operation, Wisotzkey’s Br. at 8, presumably referring to the
“innocent owner” defense. See Former 42 Pa. C.S. § 6802(j)(3). However, because
Wisotzkey did not raise this issue in his Statement of Questions Involved, it is waived.
See Pa. R.A.P. 2116(a).15
14
We recognize that Wisotzkey was convicted of persons not to possess firearms under
Section 6105(a) of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa. C.S. § 6105(a). However, a stun gun does not fall within
the definition of a “firearm” in Section 6105(i) of the Crimes Code, which provides: “As used in this
section only, the term ‘firearm’ shall include any weapons which are designed to or may readily be
converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such
weapon.” 18 Pa. C.S. § 6105(i). In any event, the Commonwealth does not argue that Wisotzkey
was prohibited from possessing the stun guns; it argues only that the stun guns were derivative
contraband. See O.R., Item No. 2, at 2; Cmwlth.’s Br. at 16.
16
Conclusion
We conclude that the Commonwealth failed to establish a substantial nexus
between the following items seized from 420 West Princess Street and any unlawful
drug activity: $182 in cash, collectible coins, property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music
records, and two stun guns. Accordingly, we reverse the Trial Court’s Order to the
extent that it forfeited those items to the Commonwealth and affirm the remainder of
the Trial Court’s Order.
_____________________________
ELLEN CEISLER, Judge
15
Even if this claim was not waived, Wisotzkey’s own statements at the forfeiture hearing
contradict his assertion that he was unaware of the marijuana-growing operation at 223 South Mill
Lane.
[WISOTZKEY]: You made a statement [to me] that there was possibly 100 marijuana
plants in the building next door?
[OFFICER BRUCKHART]: I did make that statement, yes.
[WISOTZKEY]: And I responded by saying you better check your math?
[OFFICER BRUCKHART]: That’s correct.
[WISOTZKEY]: And then I corrected myself and stated, I mean, what marijuana
plants, did I not?
[OFFICER BRUCKHART]: Correct.
N.T., 2/3/17, at 29. Furthermore, contrary to Wisotzkey’s assertion, the burden of proving an
“innocent owner” defense is on the forfeiture claimant, not the Commonwealth. See Com. v.
$2,523.48 U.S. Currency, 649 A.2d 658, 660 (Pa. 1994).
17
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania :
:
v. : No. 299 C.D. 2017
:
$182.00 Cash, et. seq. :
:
Appeal of: Matthew Wisotzkey :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 12th day of September, 2018, we hereby REVERSE the
Order of the Court of Common Pleas of York County, dated February 3, 2017, to the
extent that it granted the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Petition for Forfeiture
of $182 in cash, collectible coins, property deeds, jewelry, stamps, music records,
and two stun guns to the Commonwealth and order that those items be returned to
Matthew Wisotzkey. We hereby AFFIRM the remainder of the Trial Court’s Order.
________________________________
ELLEN CEISLER, Judge