United States of America v. 2006 Kubota L3400 Tractor, VIN: 25736 et al

Filing 3

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE signed by District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr on 6/29/17. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause for the seizure of the above- described defendant assets. CASE CLOSED. (Mena-Sanchez, L)

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PHILLIP A. TALBERT
United States Attorney
KEVIN C. KHASIGIAN
Assistant U. S. Attorney
501 I Street, Suite 10-100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: [phone]

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Attorneys for the United States

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

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Plaintiff,

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2:17-MC-00095-MCE-CKD

v.

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

2006 KUBOTA L3400 TRACTOR, VIN: 25736;
2008 HONDA TRX700XX ATV, VIN:
JH2TE36048K003093, CALIFORNIA LICENSE
NUMBER: 77H59K;
2002 HONDA XR650R MOTORCYCLE, VIN:
JH2RE01152K300986, CALIFORNIA LICENSE
NUMBER: 16B7927;
2005 MALIBU WAKESETTER MOTORBOAT,
VIN: MB251799B505, CALIFORNIA CF
NUMBER: 5906RD; and
2005 EXTREME CARRIER BOAT TRAILER,
VIN: 5DBBB25275R000321, CALIFORNIA
LICENSE NUMBER: 4KP9757,
Defendants.

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Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, the Court finds:

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1.

On October 12, 2011, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”)

27 executed a federal search warrant seized at 25818 Burda Lane, Nevada City, California and seized the
28 following assets:
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1

Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

a. 2006 Kubota L3400 Tractor, VIN: 25736;
b. 2008 Honda TRX700XX ATV, VIN: JH2TE36048K003093, California License
Number: 77H59K;
c. 2002 Honda XR650R Motorcycle, VIN: JH2RE01152K300986, California License
Number: 16B7927;
d. 2005 Malibu Wakesetter Motorboat, VIN: MB251799B505, California CF Number:
5906RD; and
e. 2005 Extreme Carrier Boat Trailer, VIN: 5DBBB25275R000321, California License
Number: 4KP9757.

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2.

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DEA commenced administrative forfeiture proceedings, sending direct written notice to

7 all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all others. On or about December 28, 2011, DEA
8 received a claim from Ethan Lee Stuart (“Stuart”) asserting an ownership interest in the assets listed
9 above.
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3.

The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on October 12,

11 2011, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at 25818 Burda Lane, Nevada City,
12 California and found indoor and outdoor marijuana cultivation sites. The indoor marijuana cultivation
13 site was located inside a greenhouse on the east side of the property and contained eighteen marijuana
14 plants ranging from ten to fourteen feet tall. Additionally, agents found manicured marijuana in the
15 kitchen and refrigerator in the main residence occupied by Stuart; and numerous boxes of rifle and
16 pistol ammunition matching the rifle discovered during the search of the adjacent 25863 Burda Lane,
17 Nevada City, California - executed simultaneously on October 12, 2011. Agents discovered additional
18 marijuana stalks in different stages of preparation - i.e., drying on screens and trimming/manicuring 19 in the residence's detached garage. Agents found a total of 3,380 pounds of marijuana (total marijuana
20 plant weight, not just flower and buds) at Stuart's property, at 25818 Burda Lane in Nevada City,
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21 California.

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4.

The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that Stuart

23 was in the residence during the search and told agents that he purchased the property in the early
24 2000's with his common law wife, Jamie Crantelle Merenda (“Merenda”). According to Stuart, he had
25 occasionally worked construction and grew marijuana. Stuart acknowledged that he was growing
26 marijuana and that marijuana proceeds paid for all of his “toys.”
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The address listed in the original stipulation listed the owner as “Farrell” and the address as 5818 Burda Lane. The correct
owner and address are listed above.

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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The United States could further show at a forfeiture trial that the defendant assets listed

2 above are forfeitable to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6).
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6.

Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained above, Stuart specifically

4 denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and compromise of this
5 matter, potential claimant Stuart agrees that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the
6 defendant assets. Stuart hereby acknowledges that he is the sole owner of the defendant assets, and
7 that no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of interest therein. Should any person or entity
8 institute any kind of claim or action against the government with regard to its forfeiture of the
9 defendant assets, Stuart shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States, as set forth below.
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7.

This Court has jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1345 and 1355, as

11 this is the judicial district in which acts or omissions giving rise to the forfeiture occurred.
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This Court has venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1395, as this is the judicial district in

13 which the defendant assets were seized.
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The parties herein desire to settle this matter pursuant to the terms of a duly executed

15 Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture.
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Based upon the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby ORDERED

17 AND ADJUDGED:
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1.

The Court adopts the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture entered into by

19 and between the parties.
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All right, title and interest of Ethan Lee Stuart in the following assets shall be forfeited

21 to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law:
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i.
ii.

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iii.

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iv.

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v.

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3.

2006 Kubota L3400 Tractor, VIN: 25736;
2008 Honda TRX700XX ATV, VIN: JH2TE36048K003093, California
License Number: 77H59K;
2002 Honda XR650R Motorcycle, VIN: JH2RE01152K300986,
California License Number: 16B7927;
2005 Malibu Wakesetter Motorboat, VIN: MB251799B505, California
CF Number: 5906RD; and
2005 Extreme Carrier Boat Trailer, VIN: 5DBBB25275R000321,
California License Number: 4KP9757.

The United States of America and its servants, agents, and employees and all other

28 public entities, their servants, agents and employees, are released from any and all liability arising out
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture
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1 of or in any way connected with the seizure or forfeiture of the defendant assets. This is a full and
2 final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated injuries, and/or damages arising out of said
3 seizure or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. Claimant Stuart waives the
4 provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.
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4.

No portion of the stipulated settlement, including statements or admissions made

6 therein, shall be admissible in any criminal action pursuant to Rules 408 and 410(a)(4) of the Federal
7 Rules of Evidence.
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All parties will bear their own costs and attorney’s fees.

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6.

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court

10 enters a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause
11 for the seizure of the above-described defendant assets.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.

13 Dated: June 29, 2017
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture