Serving as a member of the US Navy can’t be the easiest job in the world.
Long deployments away from home and calls at a moment’s notice are the norm.
One US Navy officer got much more than he bargained for, however.
And that’s because his car was sold while he was deployed overseas.
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US Navy officer serves on missile cruiser in the Pacific
The protagonist of today’s story is Navy Lieutenant Jonathan Liongson’s car.
Lt. Liongson was stationed at Naval Base San Diego – home of the United States Pacific Fleet.
Before deploying in November 2022, Liongson parked his 2011 Mazda 6 at a friend’s house.
At the end of 2022, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployed to the Far East.
The USS Bunker Hill was attached to the deployment as part of CSG 11.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Grandin/Released)
Lt. Liongson served onboard the USS Bunker Hill, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.
When he deployed, the last thing the Lieutenant ever expected was to have his car go missing.
Unfortunately, that’ exactly what happened during his Far East deployment.
Lieutenant Liongson’s Mazda sold from under him
Remember when we mentioned that Liongson parked his car at a friend’s house?
Well, that is what directly led to the US Navy officer’s car being sold.
On December 6th, 2022, the Chula Vista Police Department impounded the Mazda.
The department claimed that this was due to an expired registration.
They used a company called Tony’s Auto to tow the car to their facility.
Tony’s Auto used a contractor to inform Liongson that his car would be sold.
However, Liongson lived at a different address – and he was thousands of miles away.
In February 2023, his Mazda was sold at auction for $1,200.
The officer returned home in March to find that his car was no longer there.
As a result, the US Department of Justice, or DOJ, took up Lt. Liongson’s case.
Liongson gets justice for his car
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, SCRA, is very important to this story.
This legislation provides protection for service men and women currently deployed.
It protects running agreements, such as rental and vehicle leases, credit cards, etc.
The DOJ argued that Tony’s Auto violated the SCRA by selling the car without a court order.
It also argued that Tony’s Auto failed to consult a free Department of Defense database.
This database showcases a list of SCRA-protected individuals – such as Lt. Liongson.
The good news is that the DOJ won, and Liongson was awarded $7,5000.
According to the DOJ, over 147,000 service members have been protected under the SCRA.
Total financial settlements have reached over $481,000,000 under SCRA enforcement.
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