Thieves with badges

Luther Ricks Sr. was at home in Lima, Ohio, when burglars broke into his house. In the ensuing struggle, Ricks managed to fatally shoot one of the assailants.

But he was still robbed of over $400,000.

Even though the original thieves were driven off, police who responded to the scene absconded with a safe holding Ricks's life savings -- apparently using the presence of a small stash of marijuana as an excuse -- and then surrendered the loot to bigger bullies in the form of the FBI.

Now the feds want Ricks to prove that the money actually belongs to him and his wife before they return his life savings.

American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Legal Director Jeff Gamso said Ricks has a tough road ahead, not impossible, but tough to get back his money.

“The law of forfeiture basically says you have to prove you’re innocent. It’s terrible, terrible law,” he said.

The law is tilted in favor of the FBI in that Ricks need not be charged with a crime and the FBI stands a good chance at keeping the money, Gamso said.

“The law will presume it is the result of ill-gotten gains,” he said.

Combine avaricious "lawmen" with an abusive war on drugs and stir. That's the recipe for the stealingest gang in town.