The home of a local man became the property of the federal government Wednesday.

The former home of T. Willie Bennett, 982 Salisbury St., Wadesboro, was formally seized after a default judgement against him was rendered Aug. 16. A civil forfeiture proceeding was filed by the U.S. Attorney's office in the Western District in May.

The court documents said the home was used since 2002 by numerous people as a meeting place for buying, selling and distributing drugs, including crack cocaine and marijuana.

The documents said Wadesboro Police Chief Janie Schutz spoke to Bennett three times from September 2009 to April 2010 about the activity at the home and "he has not taken reasonable action or contacted or consulted with a law enforcement agency to terminate such activity and, on information and belief, has not taken any other action to revoke or attempt to revoke permission for those engaging in criminal activity to use the property."

A U.S. Marshal was on site to place no trespassing signs Wednesday morning. Later, a contractor was scheduled to board up the windows and doors.

Wadesboro Police Chief Janie Schutz described Bennett as well known in the neighborhood. She said he often allowed homeless people to stay at his residence.

"Sometimes, there were as many as 20 people living here," she said.

Schutz said when she first became police chief, she was inclined to leave the man alone because of the local homeless population. She said Bennett would even take those who stayed in his home to appointments with their doctors.

However, she said he also allowed drug deals to take place on his back porch. She could not allow this.

Schutz said the property will eventually go to the town of Wadesboro, who will work with the federal government to decide its fate.

There was little left in the house. A sofa, a mattress and discarded clothes and blankets were scattered throughout.

But officers did find four occupants: four small puppies. Schutz said three of them were taken that day by Bennett when he came to check his mail. But one is still looking for a home.

If anyone is interested in adopting the puppy, which will receive care soon from Schutz's husband, a veterinarian, call the police station at 704-694-2167.