Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00254/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00254-2/pdf.json

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

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATE OF AMERICA, No. CIV S-07-0254-RRB-CMK

Plaintiff, 

vs. ORDER

APPROXIMATELY $83,940 IN

U.S. CURRENCY, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff brings this civil case of forfeiture in rem, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1345

and 1355, and 21 U.S.C. § 881. Pending before the court is plaintiff’s motion for default

judgment (Doc. 22) and defendant Bradley Hakala’s answer to complaint (Doc. 24). This matter

is referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to Eastern District of

California local rules. 

The complaint in this matter was filed by plaintiff on February 8, 2007. Service

of process on defendant Hakala appears to have been accomplished by substitute service on

Kristin Leonard at Hakala’s residence at 11080 Torrey Pines Drive in Auburn, California on

March 7, 2007 (Doc. 10). Defendant’s attorney of record, Steven Bauer, also appears to have

been served by mail on February 9, 2007 (Doc. 14-2). In addition, public notice of the action

Case 2:07-cv-00254-JAM-CMK Document 27 Filed 12/13/07 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

2

was given in both The Union and Auburn Sentinel. Defendant Hakala failed to file a response to

the complaint within the statutorily allowed time, so on April 20, 2007, plaintiff filed a request

for clerk’s entry of default (Doc. 14). The clerk’s entry of default was entered on April 24, 2007

(Doc. 16). On July 26, 2007, plaintiff filed a motion for default judgment (Doc. 22). 

Then, on October 12, 2007, prior to a court order on the motion for default

judgment, defendant Bradley Hakala filed a claim and answer to the compliant. However,

defendant Hakala did so without first requesting that entry of default by the Clerk of the Court be

set aside under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(c). Therefore, defendant Hakala is required to

file a motion to set aside his default before his answer can be considered. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within 30 days of the date of this order, defendant Bradley Hakala is to

file a motion to set aside his default under Rule 55(c);

2. Plaintiff’s response to defendant’s motion, if any, will be due no later than

30 days from the date the motion is filed; and 

3. Defendant’s reply will be due no later than 15 days after plaintiff’s

response is filed.

DATED: December 13, 2007

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:07-cv-00254-JAM-CMK Document 27 Filed 12/13/07 Page 2 of 2