Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00060/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00060-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $20,000.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY, and

APPROXIMATELY $328.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

Defendants.

2:16-MC-00060-TLN-EFB

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

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

1. On or about August 10, 2015, officers with the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) seized 

Approximately $20,000.00 in U.S. Currency and Approximately $328.00 in U.S. Currency (hereafter 

collectively the "defendant currency"). 

2. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) commenced administrative forfeiture 

proceedings, sending direct written notice to all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all 

others. On or about January 4, 2016, the FBI received a claim from Francisco Ramirez-Balbuena

(“Ramirez-Balbuena” or “claimant”) asserting ownership interest in the defendant currency.

3. Claimant does not contest the United States’ representation that it could show at a 

forfeiture trial that on August 10, 2015, officers with the USFS initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle 

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

Acting United States Attorney

KEVIN C. KHASIGIAN

Assistant U. S. Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916) 554-2700

Attorneys for the United States

Case 2:16-mc-00060-TLN-EFB Document 9 Filed 06/30/16 Page 1 of 4
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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Ramirez-Balbuena was driving in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for having front and rear paper 

license plates without a visible temporary operating permit in violation of California law. 

4. Claimant does not dispute the United States’ representation that it could further show at

trial that during the traffic stop, the officer walked up to the driver side and observed the odor of 

marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by Ramirez-Balbuena (driver) and 

Alberto Garcia (passenger). Ramirez-Balbuena opened up his wallet and the officer noticed several $20 

dollar bills in his wallet. The officer asked Ramirez-Balbuena if he had any large amounts of cash in the 

vehicle and Ramirez-Balbuena responded that he had $20,000 cash in a backpack behind his seat. 

Ramirez-Balbuena did not have the vehicle registration in his possession. A records check revealed that 

the registered owner of the vehicle is Primitivo Balbuena (“claimant”). 

5. Claimants do not dispute the United States’ representation that it could further show at 

trial that passenger Alberto Garcia (“Garcia” or “claimant”) admitted to possessing a small amount of 

marijuana. Trinity County Dispatch informed the officer that there was an outstanding arrest warrant 

for Ramirez-Balbuena out of Tehama County. The officer asked Garcia if he had any cash on his 

person and Garcia stated he had about $900 in cash. Officer Phillips then arrived on the scene to assist 

with the traffic stop and outstanding warrant.

6. Claimants do not contest the United States’ representation that it could further show at

trial that officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and retrieved the backpack. The 

back pack contained a black plastic bag with $20 bills inside stacked in quantities of fifty with a rubber 

bank around them and rubber banded into four stacks of five, totaling $5,000 a stack. In addition, a 

plastic baggy was found in the backpack that contained 25.8 grams of marijuana. The officers found 

$328 in Ramirez-Balbuena’s wallet and pants, and $860 on Garcia. Violation notices were issued to 

Ramirez-Balbuena and Garcia for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of an Open Container of 

Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle. Ramirez-Balbuena was arrested on the warrant and transported to the 

Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. 

7. Claimants do not contest the United States could further show at a forfeiture trial that the 

defendant currency is forfeitable to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6). 

8. Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained above, claimants

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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specifically denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and compromise 

of this matter, claimants agree that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the defendant 

currency. Francisco Ramirez-Balbuena acknowledged that he is the sole owner of the defendant 

currency, and that no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of interest therein. Should any 

person or entity institute any kind of claim or action against the government with regard to its forfeiture 

of the defendant currency, claimants shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States, as set forth 

below.

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

is the judicial district in which acts or omissions giving rise to the forfeiture occurred.

10. This Court has venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1395, as this is the judicial district in 

which the defendant currency was seized.

11. The parties herein desire to settle this matter pursuant to the terms of a duly executed 

Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture.

Based upon the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby ORDERED 

AND ADJUDGED:

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

between the parties.

13. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $10,164.00 of the Approximately 

$20,000.00 in U.S. Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on the entire amount 

seized, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of 

according to law.

14. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, but no later than 60 days thereafter, 

the following assets shall be returned to potential claimant Francisco Ramirez-Balbuena through his

attorney Kenneth M. Bareilles:

i. $9,836.00 of the Approximately $20,000.00 in U.S. Currency, and

ii. Approximately $328.00 in U.S. Currency.

15. The 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 

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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of or in any way connected with the 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 

seizure or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. Claimants waived the provisions of 

California Civil Code § 1542.

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

therein, shall be admissible in any criminal action pursuant to Rules 408 and 410(a)(4) of the Federal 

Rules of Evidence.

17. All parties will bear their own costs and attorney’s fees.

18. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent 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 of the above-described defendant currency.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 29, 2016

Case 2:16-mc-00060-TLN-EFB Document 9 Filed 06/30/16 Page 4 of 4