United States of America v. Approximately $24,120.00 in U.S. Currency

Filing 18

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE signed by Chief Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 2/25/2011. (Lundstrom, T)

United States of America v. Approximately $24,120.00 in U.S. Currency

Doc. 18

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER United States Attorney RICHARD M. ELIAS Assistant United States Attorney United States Courthouse 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401 Fresno, California 93721 Telephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] Attorneys for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

) 1:10-CV-00535-AWI-GSA ) Plaintiff, ) FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE ) v. ) ) APPROXIMATELY $24,120.00 IN U.S. ) CURRENCY, ) ) Defendant. ) ) _____________________________________) Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court finds: 1. This is a civil forfeiture action against defendant approximately $24,120.00 in U.S.

Currency (hereafter "defendant currency"). 2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on March 25, 2010, seeking

the forfeiture of the defendant currency, alleging said currency is subject to forfeiture to the United States of America pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) because the defendant currency constitutes moneys or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for a controlled substance or listed chemical, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange and/or was used or intended to be used to facilitate one or more violations of 21 U.S.C. § 841 et seq. 3. On March 30, 2010, in accordance with said Complaint, a Warrant for Arrest of

Articles In Rem for the defendant currency was issued and duly executed on April 7, 2010. 1
FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

Dockets.Justia.com

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4.

Public notice of the forfeiture action was published on the official internet

government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov for at least 30 consecutive days beginning April 10, 2010, as required by Rule G(4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions. The Declaration of Publication was filed with the Court on June 30, 2010. 5. In addition to the publication of the forfeiture action, actual notice was personally

served upon Claimant. On April 19, 2010, Claimant filed his Verified Claim and Answer in this action. To date, no other parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time for which any other person or entity may file a claim and answer has expired. 6. Claimant Rafael Guzman represents and warrants that he is the sole owner of the

defendant currency. Based on the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED: 1. The Court adopts the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture entered into by and

between the parties to this action. 2. Judgment is hereby entered against Rafael Guzman and all other potential claimants

who have not filed claims in this action. 3. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture, $13,266.00 of the defendant

approximately $24,120.00 in U.S. Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on the full amount of the defendant approximately $24,120.00, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law. 4. Within 45 days of entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture, $10,854.00 of the

defendant approximately $24,120.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to Claimant Rafael Guzman through his attorney Victor M. Perez at 1304 W. Center Street, Visalia, California 93277. 5. Plaintiff United States of America and its servants, agents, and employees, and all

other public entities, their servants, agents, and employees, are released from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the arrest, seizure, or forfeiture of the defendant currency. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated injuries, and/or damages arising out of said arrest, seizure, or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. 2
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The parties waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542. 6. There was reasonable cause for the seizure and arrest of the defendant currency, and

the Court may enter a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465. 7. All parties shall bear their own costs and attorneys' fees.

CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE Based upon the allegations set forth in the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem filed March 25, 2010, and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters this Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause for the seizure and arrest of the defendant currency.

IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 0m8i78 February 25, 2011 CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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