Drug dealer ordered to return lottery winnings (Updated 08/18/05)

[Skyline_GTR]

Two days after the Texas Lottery Commission paid Betancourt approximately $5.5 million, representing the cash out proceeds from the Texas Lottery minus an amount withheld for federal income taxes, he delivered cocaine that led to his arrest and convictions. Betancourt's arrest followed his long involvement in drug trafficking activities in the Brownsville, Texas, area.

Ok this clears up any speculation - it states that he supplied the coke after he recieved his lottery money. The only thing he should have been doing with 36g of cocaine after he'd just received $5.5m, is calling all his friends round, having a fat party, and sticking it up their noses.

 

[booyakasha]

At first I was about to get really angry. Then I realized that if he said he got the money from selling old clothes that he probably didn't have a job. And if he didn't have a job but was making a living selling drugs, well screw him, he deserved it for not paying taxes like everyone else.

i agree that tax evasion should be punishable. after all, you're making use of the roads, subsidized gas, and numerous other services that aid in your choice of business. so MAYBE he should get house arrest. however, thats even tough to defend because he cant exactly go to the tax offices, and say-- "yeah heres my taxes from my cocaine profits" the govt makes sure that you are DIYD, DIYD.
but selling drugs to adults should not be a crime.

i'm kind of surprised to see a non-troll post such garbage.

are you opposed to drugs, or to not paying taxes?

 

[redeemer]

^^
Just to add to that. And if you use drugs yourself Love In Vein, you're a damn hypocrite cause you're not paying VAT for those drugs.

 

[Water]

He was probably eager to get rid of his stash and live life out as a multi-millionaire cleanly.

 

[chugs]

Although this person is probably someone i would not like in person (probably a bit of a scumbag) putting him in jail for 292 months & taking all his money & assets seems a tad harsh.

I suspect as society continues to perceive the drug problem as getting worse (and bigger) then in turn the punishments will increase caused by the frustration caused by the inability & failure of the already draconian laws & enforcement attempts to restrict supply & demand.

292 months and taking this entire persons asset is just a symptom of society’s unintelligible roar of frustration, to punish an individual with all their anger & frustration at the perceived collapse of their cute little American pie world (caused by our good friend Mr Psychoactive substance). Society is changing and this "majority" is trying to keep humanity static.

 

[qwe]

That's Texas for you. The guy will probably get the death penalty now. You know how those Texans like to roast there criminals. What always got me is how they have deathrow inmates on suicide watch to prevent them from killing themselves, so that the state can do it for them, with taxpayers money. (I don't know how much it costs to execute someone, but I'm sure it is not cheap.)

according to my government econ teacher and a student in class, it is 3-4 times more expensive than keeping them in prison for the rest of their life

also... drug dealing won't result in a death penalty...

anyway

"At first I was about to get really angry. Then I realized that if he said he got the money from selling old clothes that he probably didn't have a job. And if he didn't have a job but was making a living selling drugs, well screw him, he deserved it for not paying taxes like everyone else."

um... so screw all of us, and you too probably (considering the site you're on), for not paying purchase tax on the drugs we(you) buy from the dealers as well? seriously wtf? drugs are illegal, he's risking his freedom selling them for us, and you're worried about him paying his taxes? and all off the assumption that he has no job just cuz he sells old clothes?



p.s. sorry if either of the ppl i am responding to were just being sarcastic..lol

 

[Markoss]

I wonder if he got to spend any of that cash at all??
Or did they lock it up until after the trail?? Kinda hard to stay outta jail when ya got no cash to defend yourself hey!
They prob would have busted him ages ago but he had nothing of worth, with all the dealers the cops know about they cant bust em all. 3 days...that about how long it takes a check to clear right??

 

[CreativeRandom]

Did anyone notice the bit about the money going to the federal government?

I'm not even near Texas and I'm pissed off! That's bullshit!

If I was the prosecutor, I would just say fuck you federal government, and appraise the guy and make him out to be Jesus Christ. They rob me blind like that, they can just kiss my ass as I do my part to hurt them back.

I could care less about this drug dealer and losing his money, but the federal government just taking the money? Where the FUCK does that come from?! "Okay guys, good job with the investigation, now pay up".

 

[-Guido-]

Fuck the government. They should let him keep the 5.5 million. Shit, If I was dealin coke and won 5.5 million, I would totally get out of the game unless I was some Tony Montana character.