Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02586/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02586-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: 21:881 Forfeiture Property-Drugs

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1 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further 

Proceedings

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $30,670.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

2:14-cv-02586-MCE-AC

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO 

STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

The United States and claimant Christian Dapaah (“claimant”) hereby stipulate 

that a stay is necessary in the above-entitled action, and request that the Court enter an 

order staying all further proceedings due to an on-going related criminal case against 

claimant Christian Dapaah in Stanislaus County Superior Court People v. Christian 

William Dapaah, Case Number 1469889. A Preliminary Hearing is presently scheduled 

for January 26, 2016.

1. Claimant has filed a claim in this in rem forfeiture action, asserting he is the 

legal and rightful owner of the defendant property in this action. ECF No. 6.

2. The stay is requested pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2). The 

United States contends that the defendant currency was derived from or was intended to 

be used in a violation of federal law, 21 U.S.C. § 841, et seq. (manufacture, distribute, or 

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

JEFFREY A. SPIVAK

Assistant U. S. Attorney

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, CA 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Attorneys for the United States

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 19 Filed 12/09/15 Page 1 of 3
2 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further 

Proceedings

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dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled 

substance). Claimant denies these allegations.

3. The United States intends to depose claimant Dapaah regarding his claim 

and the allegations as set forth in the complaint. If discovery proceeds at this time, 

claimant will be placed in the difficult position of either invoking his Fifth Amendment 

rights against self-incrimination and losing the ability to pursue his claim to the 

Defendant Currency, or waiving his Fifth Amendment rights and submitting to a 

deposition and potentially incriminating himself. If he invokes his Fifth Amendment 

rights, the United States will be deprived of the ability to explore the factual basis for the 

claim he filed with this court.

4. In addition, claimant intends to depose, among others, law enforcement 

involved with this and other investigations. Allowing depositions of the law enforcement 

officers at this time would adversely impact the ability of such law enforcement officers to 

investigate the alleged underlying criminal conduct.

5. The parties recognize that proceeding with this action at this time has 

potential adverse effects on the criminal case and/or upon the claimant’s ability to assert 

any defenses to forfeiture. For these reasons, and because the parties are attempting to 

settle the civil forfeiture case, the parties jointly request that these matters be stayed 

until July 1, 2016, in accordance with the terms of this stipulation. 

6. At that time the parties will advise the court of the status of the criminal 

investigation and will advise the court whether a further stay is necessary. 

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: December 7, 2015 BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Spivak 

JEFFREY A. SPIVAK

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 19 Filed 12/09/15 Page 2 of 3
3 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further 

Proceedings

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Dated: December 7, 2015 /s/ Austin Thompson 

AUSTIN THOMPSON

GARCIA, SCHNAYERSON & THOMPSON

Attorney for Claimant Christian Dapaah

(As approved by email on 12/7/2015)

ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, this matter is stayed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 

981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2) until July 1, 2016, in accordance with the terms of this stipulation. 

On or before June 24. 2016, the parties will advise the court whether a further stay is 

necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 8, 2015

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 19 Filed 12/09/15 Page 3 of 3