United States of America v. $9,980.00

Filing 31

DEFAULT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE/ORDER granting 30 Motion for Default Judgment. Signed by Chief District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr on 6/5/2015. (1 certified copy delivered to US Marshal's Office) (JCH)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
SOUTHERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

PLAINTIFF

v.

CAUSE NO. 1:14cv254-LG-JCG

$9,980.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

DEFENDANT

DEFAULT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE
Before this Court is Plaintiff United States of America’s Motion [30] for
Default Judgment of Forfeiture. Having considered the Government’s Motion, the
relevant law and the record in this case, the Court finds that the Government is
entitled to a default judgment of forfeiture. The Court makes the following findings
and conclusions:
1.

On June 27, 2014, the Government filed in the above-styled cause a

Verified Complaint for Forfeiture in Rem [ECF No. 1]. The Verified Complaint
alleges that the above-referenced Defendant Property is subject to forfeiture
pursuant to Title 21 U.S.C. § 81(a)(4).
2.

On June 27, 2014, the Court issued a Warrant of Arrest in Rem. [ECF

No. 4].
3.

Beginning on July 19, 2014, the Government published for thirty

consecutive days on an official government internet website at www.forfeiture.gov
notice of the instant civil asset forfeiture action against the Defendant Property, as
evidenced by the Declaration of Publication [ECF No. 14] filed in this cause on
August 26, 2014.
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4.

The Government mailed pursuant to Rule G(4)(b)(i) of the

Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture
Actions, U.S.C.S. Admiralty and Maritime Claims R. G(4)(b)(i), a written notice of
the instant civil asset forfeiture action against the Defendant Property and a copy of
the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture to all potential claimants reasonably known to
the Government, as evidenced by the Government’s Proof of Service [ECF No. 9],
filed with this Court on August 8, 2014.
5.

The aforementioned publication and direct notices informed Israel

Garcia Gasper, Joao Juarez Bizato, and all other persons or entities, known or
unknown, claiming an interest in the Defendant Property that the Defendant
Property had been arrested and that the instant civil forfeiture action was pending.
The publication and direct notice also informed said persons and entities that any
persons or entities having or claiming an interest in the Defendant Property had at
least thirty-five (35) days after the plaintiff mailed its written, direct notice, or sixty
(60) days after the first publication of notice on an official government website, to
file a claim and twenty (20) days after filing such claim to file an answer.
Furthermore, the notice referred any such persons or entities to Rule G(5) of
Supplemental Rules of Admiralty and Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture
Actions, and warned that if this rule was not strictly followed, the Court could
strike any claim and answer and enter default judgment of forfeiture or summary
judgment against any improperly claimed interest in the Defendant Property.
6.

As of this date, no person or entity, other than Joao Juarez Bizato, has
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filed a claim, answer, or any other pleading in this cause. In addition, no person or
entity, other than Joao Juarez Bizato, has made any appearance in this cause to
assert an interest in the Defendant Property or to otherwise defend against the
instant forfeiture action.
7.

On April 7, 2015, the Court granted the Government’s motion to

dismiss the claim of Joao Juarez Bizato to the Defendant Property. As a result,
there are no longer any valid claims or answers pending in this matter.
8.

The time for filing a valid claim or answer in this action has lapsed

pursuant to Supplemental Rule G., U.S.C.S. Admiralty and Maritime Claims R. G.
and Joao Juarez Bizato has withdrawn his claim of ownership. As such any other
possible claimants, are in total default; the Clerk of Court’s May 28, 2015 Entry of
Default [ECF No. 29] was proper; and the Government is entitled to a default
judgment of forfeiture against the full interests of Joao Juarez Bizato, and all other
persons and entities in the Defendant Property, all without the necessity of further
notice to Israel Garcia Gasper, Joao Juarez Bizato, or any other person or entity.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED AS FOLLOWS:
a.

The United States of America is hereby given a default judgment of

forfeiture against the full interests of Israel Garcia Gasper, Joao Juarez Bizato, and
all other persons and entities in the Defendant;
b.

Any administrative claims or interests therein of any entities or

persons, including Joao Juarez Bizato and any other possible claimant.

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c.

The Defendant Property is referred to the custody of the United States

Marshals Service for disposition in accordance with the relevant law and
regulations.
SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED this the 5th day of June, 2015.

s/

Louis Guirola, Jr.

LOUIS GUIROLA, JR.
CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

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