Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-02148/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-02148-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: 28:1345 Complaint for Forfeiture

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28 1 STIPULATION TO EXTEND STAY OF

FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

KRISTIN S. DOOR, SBN 84307

Assistant U.S. Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916) 554-2723

Attorney for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) 2:08-cv-02148 LKK-DAD

)

Plaintiff, )

) STIPULATION TO EXTEND 

v. ) STAY OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

) AND ORDER 

APPROXIMATELY $180,534.29 IN U.S. )

CURRENCY SEIZED FROM SAFE CREDIT ) 

UNION ACCOUNT NUMBER 342139-00, )

AND, )

) DATE: N/A

APPROXIMATELY $10,000.00 IN U.S. ) TIME: N/A

CURRENCY SEIZED FROM SAFE CREDIT ) COURTROOM: N/A

UNION ACCOUNT NUMBER 342139-20, )

)

Defendants. )

 )

Plaintiff United States of America and claimants Frank W.

Blue, Jr. and Margaret Chavez-Blue (hereafter “claimants”) submit

the following stipulation to extend the stay of further proceedings

in this case. This action was previously stayed until February 23,

2010, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and (g)(2) and 21 U.S.C. §

881(i).

The parties request that the stay be extended until May 23,

Case 2:08-cv-02148-LKK-DAD Document 25 Filed 02/22/10 Page 1 of 4
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28 2 STIPULATION TO EXTEND STAY OF

FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

2010. The United States contends that the defendant property is

the proceeds of Miguel Vasquez’s methamphetamine trafficking and is

therefore forfeitable to the United States. Miguel Vasquez, the

son of claimant Margaret Chavez-Blue, and step-son of claimant

Frank W. Blue, Jr., is the lead defendant in United States v.

Miguel Vasquez, et al., 2:08-cr-00212 LKK. The criminal case

against Miguel Vasquez is still pending.

The United States intends to depose Miguel Vasquez about his

involvement in drug trafficking and the source of the currency that

was seized. If discovery proceeds, Vasquez would be placed in the

difficult position of either invoking his Fifth Amendment right

against self-incrimination and losing the ability to provide

evidence that is relevant to the claims filed by his mother and

step-father, or waiving that right, testifying at a deposition, and

potentially incriminating himself in his own criminal case. 

In addition, plaintiff intends to depose claimants on many

issues, including but not limited to their knowledge of Miguel

Vasquez’ long criminal history, his history of drug trafficking,

and the source of these funds. Accordingly, plaintiff believes

that claimants face a similar problem of either invoking their

Fifth Amendment rights but losing the ability to provide testimony

to protect their alleged interest in the defendant property, or

waiving their Fifth Amendment rights and submitting to depositions

and potentially incriminating themselves as well. 

If claimants or Vasquez invoke their Fifth Amendment rights,

the United States will be deprived of the ability to explore the

Case 2:08-cv-02148-LKK-DAD Document 25 Filed 02/22/10 Page 2 of 4
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28 3 STIPULATION TO EXTEND STAY OF

FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

factual basis for the claim filed in this action and the defenses

raised in the Answer. 

In addition, claimants will attempt to depose law enforcement

officers who were involved in the Miguel Vasquez drug trafficking

investigation that resulted in the seizure of the defendant

property. Allowing depositions of these officers would adversely

affect the ability of the United States to conduct its related

criminal prosecution of Miguel Vasquez. 

 Accordingly, the parties agree that proceeding with this

action at this time has potential adverse affects on the

prosecution of the related criminal case and/or upon claimants’

ability to prove their claim to the property and to contest the

government's allegations that the property is forfeitable. For

these reasons, the parties request that this matter be stayed until

May 23, 2010. At that time the parties will advise the Court

whether a further stay is necessary.

DATED: February 19, 2010 BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Kristin S. Door 

KRISTIN S. DOOR

Assistant U.S. Attorney

DATED: February 19, 2010

/s/ Christopher Haydn-Myer

 CHRISTOPHER HAYDN-MYER

Attorney for claimants

Frank V. Blue and 

Margaret Chavez Blue

//

Case 2:08-cv-02148-LKK-DAD Document 25 Filed 02/22/10 Page 3 of 4
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28 4 STIPULATION TO EXTEND STAY OF

FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

DATED: February 19, 2010 /s/ John Balazs

JOHN BALAZS

Attorney for claimants

Frank V. Blue and 

Margaret Chavez Blue

(AUSA Door authorized to sign 

by claimants’ attorneys)

ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, this matter is stayed

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1), 981(g)(2) and 21 U.S.C. §

881(i) until May 23, 2010. On or before May 23, 2010, the parties

will advise the Court whether a further stay is necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 22, 2010.

Case 2:08-cv-02148-LKK-DAD Document 25 Filed 02/22/10 Page 4 of 4