Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01091/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01091-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: 28:1355 Petition for Return of Property

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1 11cv1091 BTM(RBB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IN RE RETURN OF SEIZED PROPERTY CASE NO. 11cv1091 BTM(RBB)

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

STAY OF COURT’S ORDER

TAYLOR ARTIS and EDWARD

DOUGLAS, JR.,

Movants.

The United States has filed a motion for a stay of the Court’s order granting Movants’

Motion for Return of Seized Property (“Order”). For the reasons discussed below, the United

States’ motion is DENIED.

The United States asks for a stay of 30 days to enable counsel for the United States

to consult with legal counsel for other departments of the United States government to

determine whether to file a notice of appeal or pursue other remedies. According to the

United States, the Court’s Order “will directly impact the procedures and practices of

components of the Department of Treasury, DEA, DOJ, AFMLS, and others involved in the

implementation of the Debt Collection Improvement act of 1996, and the Treasury Offset

Program.”

In determining whether to issue a stay pending appeal, relevant factors include: (1)

whether the stay applicant has made a strong showing that he is likely to succeed on the

merits; (2) whether the applicant will be irreparably injured absent a stay; (2) whether

issuance of the stay will substantially injure the other parties interested in the proceeding;

and (4) where the public interest lies. Hilton v. Braunskill, 481 U.S. 770, 776 (1987). 

The United States has not made any argument regarding the merits of the Court’s

Order. Although the United States talks about the possibility of appeal, the United States

Case 3:11-cv-01091-BTM-RBB Document 13 Filed 08/29/11 Page 1 of 2
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2 11cv1091 BTM(RBB)

does not identify any error in the Court’s ruling.

The United States has also failed to show that it will be irreparably injured absent a

stay. The Order pertains to this particular case and orders the return of the currency seized

from these particular Movants. The Order does not enjoin the United States from following

existing procedures and does not require the United States to take any action beyond

returning the seized property. 

In addition, the United States has not established that it has any claim to the seized

currency in this case. Even assuming the Treasury Offset Program applies, the United

States has not shown that Movants owe any sums to the United States that would be subject

to offset.

On the other side of the scale, a substantial sum of money was seized from Movants

and has been in the custody of the United States for more than six months. Because the

United States did not, within 90 days after the filing of Movants’ claims, file a complaint for

civil forfeiture, move for an enlargement of the 90-day period, obtain a criminal indictment

alleging that the property is subject to forfeiture, or return the property, the United States is

required to promptly release the property.18 U.S.C. § 983(a)(3)(A). Movants clearly have

an interest in the funds and will be injured by any further delay in the return of their property.

Furthermore, it is in the public interest that the Court enforce the statutory requirement that

the United States promptly return seized property after the expiration of the 90-day period.

For these reasons, the Court DENIES the United States’ motion for a stay of the

Court’s Order. Within 24 hours of the entry of this Order the United States shall return

$8,600.00 to Taylor Artis and $12,880.00 to Edward Douglas, Jr. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: August 29, 2011

Honorable Barry Ted Moskowitz

United States District Judge

Case 3:11-cv-01091-BTM-RBB Document 13 Filed 08/29/11 Page 2 of 2