One day after returning convictions in a moonshine case, a federal jury on Thursday authorized the government to take property and cash that were used in the illegal venture.

Included in the forfeiture action was an 8-acre tract in Halifax County on which the still was operated, three cars owned by defendant Jody Alton Smith and $70,000 in cash that was found hidden in the attic of Smith's Franklin County home.

Other property involved in the case could also be subject to forfeiture, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Burnham said.

Following a two-week trial, Smith and a co-defendant, Margaret Rigney Smith, were convicted Wednesday of charges that included running an illegal distillery, money laundering and perjury. The Smiths married years ago in an overseas ceremony not recognized in the United States.

Four men from Franklin County pleaded guilty to their roles in the operation before the trial began.

Authorities said the operation yielded at least 16,000 gallons of illegal liquor and earned its operators at least $225,000 during its operation in 2005 and 2006.

Burnham said money and property seized from the operation could go back to local communities for use in law enforcement efforts.

-- Laurence Hammack