Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alsd-1_05-cv-00398/USCOURTS-alsd-1_05-cv-00398-1/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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The Court notes that Rodriguez-Hernandez’s counsel declined to confirm that he had

been authorized to accept service on behalf of his client. (Doc. 14 at 6, ¶ 12).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )

 )

Plaintiff, )

 )

v. ) CIVIL ACTION 05-0398-WS-M

 )

$66,000.00, MORE OR LESS, etc., et al., )

 )

Defendants. )

ORDER

This matter is before the Court on the plaintiff’s “Request to Clerk for Entry of Default

Against Potential Claimant Rodriguez-Hernandez” pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure

55(a). (Doc. 18). The plaintiff notes the Court’s ruling that the plaintiff has satisfied the

constitutional demands of due process in its unsuccessful efforts to provide RodriguezHernandez actual notice, including its provision of actual notice to Rodriguez-Hernandez’s

attorney. (Doc. 15). Supplemental Admiralty Rule C(6)(a)(i)(A), however, allows a potential

claimant 30 days from “the date of service of the Government’s complaint” in which to file a

verified statement of interest, and the plaintiff has not shown that giving a copy of the complaint

to counsel constitutes “service of the Government’s complaint” within the contemplation of Rule

C(6).1

 Moreover, Rule 55(a) allows entry of default as to “a party against whom a judgment for

affirmative relief is sought,” and the plaintiff has not shown that a potential claimant to seized

property is either a “party” or one “against whom affirmative relief is sought.” Accordingly, the

plaintiff’s request for entry of default, construed as a motion for entry of default, is denied

without prejudice.

 DONE and ORDERED this 27th day of March, 2006.

s/ WILLIAM H. STEELE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-00398-WS-M Document 20 Filed 03/27/06 Page 1 of 1