United States of America v. Real Property Located at 5796 Zenia Lake Mountain Road, Kettenpom, California

Filing 14

STIPULATION and ORDER signed by Judge John A. Mendez on 6/30/10: This case is stayed until January 6, 2011. On or before January 6, 2011, the parties shall advise the Court whether a further stay is necessary. (Kaminski, H)

United States of America v. Real Property Located at 5796 Zenia Lake Moun...d, Kettenpom, California

Doc. 14

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER United States Attorney KRISTIN S. DOOR, SBN 84307 Assistant United States Attorney 501 I Street, Suite 10-100 Sacramento, CA 95814 Telephone: [phone] Attorneys for Plaintiff United States of America

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

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5796 ZENIA LAKE MOUNTAIN ROAD, KETTENPOM, CALIFORNIA, TRINITY COUNTY, APN: 022-080-3800, INCLUDING ALL APPURTENANCES AND IMPROVEMENTS THERETO, Defendant.

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2:10-cv-00770-JAM-KJM STIPULATION TO STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER DATE: N/A TIME: N/A COURTROOM: N/A

Plaintiff United States of America, and Claimant Todd Hudy, "claimant"), by and through their respective counsel, hereby stipulate that a stay is necessary in the above-entitled actions, and request that the Court enter an order staying all further proceedings until January 6, 2011, because criminal charges are pending against claimant in Trinity County. Those charges

(possession of marijuana for sale, cultivation of marijuana, and an enhancement for a firearm) arise out of the same conduct that led to the filing of the instant civil forfeiture action against the defendant real property.

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STIPULATION TO STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER [PROPOSED]

Dockets.Justia.com

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The stay is requested pursuant to 18 U.S.C. The plaintiff contends that claimant Claimant denies

§§ 981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2).

was growing marijuana on the defendant property. these allegations. 2.

The Trinity County District Attorney filed drug charges

against claimant and his brother, James, on April 23, 2010. Claimant has not been arraigned on these charges, and no dates have been set. 3. Plaintiff intends to depose claimant and his brother

regarding their involvement in, or knowledge of, the cultivation of marijuana on the defendant property. Plaintiff also intends

to question claimant about the defenses he raised in his Answer to the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem. If discovery proceeds at

this time, claimant will be placed in the difficult position of either invoking his Fifth Amendment rights against selfincrimination and losing the ability to pursue his claim to the defendant property, or waiving his Fifth Amendment rights and submitting to a deposition and potentially incriminating himself. If he invokes his Fifth Amendment rights, the plaintiff will be deprived of the ability to explore the factual basis for the claim he filed with this court and the affirmative defenses in his Answer. 4. In addition, claimant intends to depose, among others,

the state and federal agents involved with this investigation and the execution of a state search warrant at the defendant property. Allowing depositions of the law enforcement officers

at this time would adversely affect the ability of the Trinity County officials to prosecute the underlying criminal conduct.

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STIPULATION TO STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER [PROPOSED]

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5.

The parties recognize that proceeding with these

actions at this time has potential adverse effects on the investigation of the underlying criminal conduct and/or upon the claimant's ability to prove his claim to the property and to assert any defenses to forfeiture. For these reasons, the

parties jointly request that these matters be stayed until January 6, 2011. At that time the parties will advise the court

of the status of the Trinity County prosecution and will advise the court whether a further stay is necessary.

Dated: June 29, 2010

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER United States Attorney By /s/ Kristin S. Door KRISTIN S. DOOR Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys for Plaintiff United States of America

Dated: June 29, 2010 By

ROTHSCHILD WISHEK & SANDS LLP /s/ Kresta Nora Daly (As authorized on 6/29/10) KRESTA NORA DALY Attorneys for claimant Todd Hudy

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ORDER 23 For the reasons set forth above, these matters is stayed 24 pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2) until January 6, 25 2011. 26 // 27 // 28 On or before January 6, 2011, the parties will advise the

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STIPULATION TO STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER [PROPOSED]

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Court whether a further stay is necessary. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: June 30, 2010 /s/ John A. Mendez JOHN A. MENDEZ UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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STIPULATION TO STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER [PROPOSED]