Triad Sheriff Shocked By Federal Government's Decision To Stop Sending Asset Forfeiture Funds

Spending cuts at the national level are trickling down to local law enforcement agencies. The Department of Justice is holding off payments from a program that takes property and money seized during investigations.

Those assets could mean big bucks. The Justice Department shares proceeds from their sale, or sometimes it's the cash. Local agencies can get up to 80 percent of their value.

But not anymore. Federal officials have decided to stop sending the funds for now, because of budget cuts approved by the U.S. Congress in a recent spending bill.

Guilford County alone has spent more than $1.6 million it's received since 2013. Sheriff BJ Barnes says he worries the program could be cut altogether.

 “I've used it build or refurbish three sub stations, I've used it to buy computers, I've used it to buy Segways for the school resource officer's in our schools,” says Barnes.  “The taxpayer didn't pay for it, drug dealers did. That's value in it for us.”

Barnes says local police departments are lobbying state and federal lawmakers to reinstate the program. Justice department officials have not given any timeline on when or if it'll be restored.

The National Sheriff's Association and the National Police Association have also expressed opposition to the cuts.

*Follow Keri Brown on Twitter @kerb_news