USA vs Lynch Return of Property

As of February 16, 2026 Lynch has still not recieved the monies to be returned by the DEA/DOJ.

December 12, 2025 DEA says Lynch filled out the forms wrong

DEA sent Free Federal Public Defenders an email saying Lynch did not fill out the forms properly for type of checking account to receive the monies. It was an open field on the form with no options for the type of checking account to recieve the funds. Lynch had filed 'business' account since it was a business account but DEA said that is not acceptable and should be either corporate or personal. Apparently a sole proprietor business should not write business in the field of a DEA document. Lynch quickly refiled the form on that same day 12-12-25 using 'personal' in the field and sent via email the corrected form.

Free Federal Public Defenders Send Return Receipt Requested Documents

July 1, 2025 Free Federal Public Defenders send Lynch Certified Mail - Return Receipt Requested Documents

DEA officials sent Federal Public Defenders the documents that need to be filed for Lynch to receive his property returned. The Documents have a heading of Certfied Mail - Return Receipt Requested. The cover letter for the package tells Lynch what he needs to do to have his monies returned. Fill out some forms and return them before the deadline. The deadline is 30 days from the date on the letter which is 6-18-2025 and Lynch's Federal Public Defenders recieved and transmitted the letter to Lynch on July 1, 2025. Lynch immediately got to work filling out the forms. The document says that if the forms are properly filled out and returned on time Lynch should have his money returned by wire transfer within 60 days.

USA vs Lynch Return of Property

Free Federal Public Defenders file motion for Return of Property

January 16, 2025 Free Federal Public Defenders file motions for return of Property. Follow Charles C Lynch on Facebook, Instagram, TikToc and X (Formerly known as twitter) @charlesclynch. Thank you for your support!

February 11, 2025 Free Federal Public Defenders file Amended motion for return of money seized.

February 16, 2025 Government files opposition to motion for return of money seized but say they will return computers and other worthless items.

February 21, 2025 Free Federal Public Defenders file Reply in Support of Return of Property. In an amazing filing Free Federal Public Defenders motion the court to return Lynch's illegally siezed money which was stolen during a horrific and unconstitutional raid of his home and business in 2007. Lynch's attorneys say that Lynch Should be returned his monies, almost 50,000 dollars as Lynch never forfeited the property and clearly attempted to get his property returned by his State Attorney Lou Koory. Click the Motion in Support of Return of Money button below to read the court document.

February 21, 2025 Judge Wu Issues order returning Lynch's property but not the money yet.

February 27, 2025 New Federal Public Defender added to Notice of Appearance. Alex Statman Public Interest Law Fellow files Notice of Appearance

February 28, 2025 Government files motion to deny return of Lynch's money. For the foregoing reasons, the government respectfully requests that the Court deny Lynch’s motion for return of the Forfeited Property.

March 10, 2025 Victory! Judge Orders Government to return ALL property
Judge Wu orders Government to return ALL of Lynch's Property.
Mortion Granted!
Judge Wu knocks former prosecutor on the case David Kowal:

"I'm not blaming you, not to cast aspersions on your predecessor, but, you know"

Judge also Wu says:

"the problem this case is so unusual in every aspect of it. I have never seen a case that has been like this one"

Judge Wu ends the hearing:

"This is a case that keeps on giving. I don't think I -- has there ever been a criminal appeal that has lasted longer than this one?"

Government has 14 days to appeal
Lynch goes to DEA office and picks up 20 year old computers, patient files and POS System. Got it all squeezed into a car rental.

March 25, 2025 Time for Government to Appeal Return of Property exipires
The Government did not file a timely appeal to Judge Wu's order to return ALL of Lynch's Property.
The Government must now return all monies siezed during the 2007 raid of Lynch's dispensary in Morro Bay California. Interest and late fees do not apply on these seized funds. Federal Public Defenders send message to the Government to return the money. No word back yet as of 3-26-2025.

USA vs Lynch officially Dismissed

Honorable Judge Wu has signed the document that dismissed USA vs Lynch and expunges Lynch's Felony convictions.

Honorable Judge Wu signed the official document which dismisses USA vs Lynch, the longest Federal Prosecution in US History, on April 23, 2024. The document offically ends the court proceedings with prejudice and expunges Lynch's felony convictions. Lynch is no longer a felon although the arrest record and court records remain. Lynch was under federal prosecution for over seventeen years when his City Sanctioned Medical Marijauna Dispensary in Morro Bay California was raided on March 29, 2007. Lynch was arrested in July 2007 and eventually convicted in federal court on 5 counts of violating federal law though the alledged crimes were legal under state law. Lynch appealed the convictions to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals where he again lost. An Appropriations Rider enacted during the Obama Administration which stated Department of Justice cannot spend money to overthrow State Medcial Marijuana Laws. This gave Lynch a new argument and a McIntosh hearing to determine if he was following state law. Lynch's McIntosh hearing was delayed for years while both sides prepared for the hearing. In 2023 Federal Prosecutor David Kowal missed numerous filing dates with no response at all. Free Federal PUblic defenders file motions to dismiss. Kowal finally appeared at the last moment and the McIntosh proceeded in January 2024. The Director of the US Attorneys Office, Mack Jenkins, for the Central District of California witnessed the hearing and decided to take over the case himself. Mr Jenkins worked with Federal Public Defenders and Attorney Reuven Cohen and reached a plea deal. The deal included 72 days of diversion a $2500 fine. Lynch met the terms of the diversion agreement and the case has been dismissed and Lynch's felony record has been expunged. Lynch is laying claim to the Longest Federal Prosecution in US history, 6125 days. Lynch was elated on the agreement and posted on Social media thanking the Biden Administration, Mack Jenkins, Activist, Supporters, Free Federal PUblic Defenders, friends, family and God Almighty for ending this case quoting Martin Luther King's words of Free at Last! Follow Charles C Lynch on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (Formerly known as twitter) @charlesclynch. Thank you for your support!

DOJ confirms to court Lynch has meet terms of Diversion Agreement

The Department of Justice confirmed Lynch has met the terms of the Diversion agreement and is recommending the case be dismissed.

The Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss USA vs Lynch, the longest Federal Prosecution in US History. Lynch agreed to a diversion plan that said if Lynch did not violate any laws for 72 days his 17-year federal Prosecution would end on April 20th, 2024. Lynch met the terms of the agreement and on April 22, 2024 the Goverment filed a [PROPOSED] ORDER DIMISSING JUDGMENT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES BASED ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF DIVERSION AGREEMENT. Now the order is waiting for Judge Wu's final approval before the case is officially dismissed.

Los Angeles Times Published USA vs Lynch Story Part II February 8, 2024

Los Angeles Times Reporters and photograhers were present for Lynch's final hearings and were instrumental in ending Lynch's nearly 17 year Federal Medical Marijuana Prosecution

Los Angeles Times Reporter Brittny Mejia @brittny_mejia was attending Lynch's recent hearings in Federal Court. She was present when Lynch's McIntosh hearing finally began and published the first article on January 31, 2024 that broke the camels back. Federal Prosecutor's decided to dismiss USA vs Lynch after the Front page January 31st article hit the news stands. The initial plea deal had Lynch ending up with a $2500 fine and lifelong misdemeanor. But thanks to President Joe Biden's marijuana pardon policy, Lynch's case will be dismissed with prejudice and 5 count felony record will be wiped clean without even a misdemeanor on April 20th, 2024. Lynch gives his thanks to Family, Friends, Jounalist and activists who stood by him through his 17 year ordeal. USA vs Lynch the longest most expensive federal medical marijuana in US and possibly World History. Lynch has filed for a Guiness World Record. Click the button below to read the LA Times Article online.

Honorable Judge Wu Signs and Approves Final Deal

Honorable Judge Wu signs final Deal in USA vs Lynch and approves Diversion, Fine and Dismissal of charges and record

Honorable Judge Wu signs signs final Plea Deal in USA vs Lynch. The Deal calls for a $2500 fine and 72 days of diversion which upon completion the case will be dismissed and Charles Lynch's 5 count felony record will be wiped clean. Lynch was ecstatic over the decision. Los Angeles Times reporter Brittny Mejia who also recently broke the story of the nearly 17 year federal Prosecution followed up with an article about the case, charges and convictions being dismissed. Lynch pointed out that Federal prosecutors had spent nearly nearly 17 years which is about 26.8% of his life trying to lock him up while every marijuana store in America still operates in felonious violation of Federal Law and again called on Congress to get off thier high horse and Pass the MORE Act. Lynch said he is ready to put the case behind him and move on with a clean record. Lynch gives big THANK YOU to all that supported him though his nearly 17 year federal medical marijuana prosection. Lynch also said he has applied for a Guiness World Record for "The Longest Medical Marijuana Prosecution in World History" and is waiting for a decision that may come on or near April 20th when the case is officially closed.

Lynch agress to Diversion of 72 days and Dismissal

Defendant Charles Lynch with help of Free Federal Public Defenders and Cohen and Williams LLP signs plea deal

Defendant Charles Lynch was prepared to accept a plea deal in Federal court on 2-8-2024 when the deal was suddenly changed. The orgianl deal had Lynch pleading guilty to Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana under federal law and the case would be dismissed with just a Misdemeanor on his record. Lynch took the deal knowing that he could probably get a pardon on the Misdemeanor under Joe Biden's Federal Misdemeanor Pardon Policy. It was later decided by Higher level DOJ officials that Lynch could not plead guilty to something that is pardonable. So at the last minutes while standing in the halls of Justice at the Court room front entrance a new deal was reached. Lynch agreed to a $2500 fine and Diversion and Waiver of Rights deal which would end the case in 60 days of diversion and wipe his record clean of 5 felonies and not even a misdemeanor. Lynch agreed to the deal with one stipulation asking for 72 days of diversion instead so case would symbolically end on April 20, 2024. The Deal was worked out by Free Federal Public Defennder Rebecca Able, Reuven Cohen of Cohen and Williams, Chief of the US DOJ Criminal Division Mack Jenkins and original Federal Prosecutor David Kowal. Lynch joyously took the deal and promised to be on his best behaviour for the next 72 days. Los Angeles Times Reporters and Photographers were at the court house and interviewed Lynch as he left the court house with his Mother and Supporters. Lynch stayed in Los Angeles for the night and went celebrating on the Town with his former Secretary and dedicated supporter Gina Armstrong. Lynch then drove home to Bloomfield New Mexico where he lives in a single wide trailer behind his Mothers house and began contemplating the future.

Cohen Williams LLP Added to the Docket, 2024

Former Free Federal Public Defender Reuven Cohen and his firm Cohen Williams LLP added to the Docket

Reuven Cohen one of Charlie's original Free Federal Public Defenders and trial attorneys rejoined the case. Reuven was instrumental in working out a final plea deal with Federal Public Defenders and Federal Prosecutors which will have Lynch's case resolved.

Lynch Story on Front Page of Los Angeles Times February 5, 2024

Lynch Story on Front Page of Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times prints USA vs Lynch story on Front Page on February 5, 2025 right up there with the Grammy Awards Artist Taylor Swift, Miley Cirus and Ellie Billish. On page A8 a full page of the Lynch story was featured next to an Elon Musk Article. Big thanks to Reporter Brittny Mejia @brittny_mejia for getting the word out. Click the link below to check out the Article.

Los Angeles Times Published USA vs Lynch Story January 31, 2024

Los Angeles Times Reporters were present for Lynch's recent hearings and decided to Publish a story on Lynch's nearly 17 year Federal Medical Marijuana Prosecution

Los Angeles Times Reporter Brittny Mejia @brittny_mejia was attending Lynch's recent hearings in Federal Court. She was on the Defendant's side of the Gallery. Lynch was curious as to who she was and inquired to find out she was a Los Angeles Times Reporter. Lynch's Former Federal Public Defend Reuven Cohen who is now in private practice at Cohen Williams LLP also was in the gallery. Brittny decided she was going to run a story on the case and Reuven worked with her on the details. Lynch joined Brittny and Reuven for a telephone interview and a story was published on January 31, 2024. Lynch's Free Federal Public Defenders said that the Federal Prosecutors wanted to have a deal before the article was published so they could say they have resolved the case to avoid embarrassment and scrutiny. There is talk that a follow up article will be published after the final hearing. Lynch said he was very pleased with the article that outlined his 17 year federal medical marijuana prosecution with great accuracy and compassion. Click the link below to check out the Article. Lynch was also asking for donations to help him pay the $2500 file that will be imposed by the court and was quoted as saying "Freedom ain't Free, pleae donate today! Thank you for your support!"

Lynch is scheduled to appear before the Honorable Judge Wu who is expected to approve the deal on February 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Los Angeles Federal Court. Everyone is invited to attend as it is a public hearing.