SAGINAW, MI —

The black Mustang with the attention-grabbing decals "Taken From A Local Drug Dealer" is up for auction.

Proceeds from the sale of a car that once belonged to a Saginaw County drug dealer will be used for training, equipment and other needs at the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office.

"The reason I'm going to drive the Mustang is because it stands out, and I want it to stand out," Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel said during a 2010 interview. "I'm not driving it just to drive it. I'm driving it to educate people."

The highest bidder in an online auction that was set to begin Monday, Feb. 10, will drive away in a 2007 Ford Mustang GT, a car owned by the Saginaw County Sheriff's Department after it was seized as part of a plea agreement from a Bridgeport Township man in 2009.

With lettering removed and the car returned close to stock, the sheriff hopes to make some money on the car and put the funds to use elsewhere within the department.

He said he decided to sell the car because of a new state law that permits the sheriff's department to use forfeiture money for anything. When he seized the car, he was required to use it for enforcement or education of drug laws.

"It's like a savings account," he said about the car, adding that he has asked division commanders for a list of things that could use possible funding. The list includes cameras, equipment for the traffic homicide investigation team and training.

Federspiel said he wants to invest in technology and improve communication with constituents.

Federspiel has made the car's origin well known, displaying the words "Taken From A Local Drug Dealer" in yellow lettering on both the doors and driving it himself.

The 2007 Ford Mustang GT owned by the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office is now for sale on eBay. Bridgeport Township resident Gregory J. Tackebury, the owner of the Mustang seized by the sheriff's department, said in a previous interview that he is angry that Saginaw County Sheriff William L. Federspiel seized the Ford Mustang GT Tackebury bought for his teenage son.

Tackebury said he was not happy to see the banner on the side of the car and complained that he is not a drug dealer.

He said he pleaded guilty to manufacturing and/or delivering marijuana and maintaining a drug house "under duress" because prosecutors told him he and his wife could be imprisoned and their three children could be placed in foster care.

Tackebury admits he was growing marijuana at his home at the time of his arrest and said he was seeking a doctor's certification for medical marijuana.

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Sheriff William Federspiel had "Taken from a local drug dealer" emblazoned on his Mustang and poses with his "This T-Shirt was taken from a local drug dealer," shirt in front of the car.

Federspiel said the 300-horsepower Mustang has been a useful tool and he and hopes the car's fame will help it sell.

"It's my car, whoever gets it is going to get the sheriff's car," he said.

Interior police siren lights have been removed and lettering was taken off to return the car to its original black paint job. The car is stock other than a few small screw holes in the dash board and arm rest, he said, and the sheriff's office installed premium wheels to replace the 18- or 20-inch rims it rolled in on.

The Mustang features heated leather seats and a Shaker 500 stereo system, Federspiel said.

The eBay online auction will continue through Monday, Feb. 18, ending at 3:45 p.m., Federspiel said.

The sheriff is now driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, the oldest vehicle in the fleet. He promised constituents he would drive the oldest car if he was not driving a seized vehicle. Drug forfeiture money will pay for the Impala's fuel, oil changes and maintenance.

Brad Devereaux Email | Facebook | Twitter | 989-372-2442