Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00614/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00614-2/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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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

DEANNA L. MARTINEZ

Assistant United States Attorney

United States Courthouse

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, California 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Facsimile: (559) 497-4099

Attorneys for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

2007 CHRYSLER 300, LICENSE NUMBER

5ZFM697,VIN: 2C3KA43R87H747024, and,

APPROXIMATELY $2,883.00 IN U.S.

CURRENCY,

Defendants.

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1:09-CV-00614-LJO-SMS

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court finds: 

1. This is a civilforfeiture action against defendants 2007 Chrysler 300, LicenseNumber

5ZFM697, VIN: 2C3KA43R87H747024 (hereafter “defendant vehicle”), and approximately

$2,883.00 in U.S. Currency (hereafter “defendant currency”).

2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on April 6, 2009, seeking the

forfeiture of the defendant vehicle and defendant currency, alleging that the defendant currency and

defendant vehicle are subject to forfeiture to the United States of America pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §

881(a)(6) because the defendant currency and defendant vehicle constitute moneys or other things

of value furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for a controlled substance or listed

chemical, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange and/or were used or intended to be used to

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 1

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facilitate one or more violations of 21 U.S.C. § 841 et seq., and that the defendant vehicle constitutes

a conveyance used or intended to be used to transport, or in any manner to facilitate the

transportation, sale, receipt, possession, or concealment of a controlled substance in violation of 21

U.S.C. § 841 et seq., and is therefore subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(4).

3. On April 7, 2009, in accordance with the Complaint, a Warrant for Arrest of Articles

In Rem for the defendant currency and defendant vehicle was issued and duly executed on the

defendant currency on April 15, 2009, and on the defendant vehicle on April 22, 2009.

4. Beginning on May 21, 2009, for at least 30 consecutive days, the United States

published notice of this action on the official internet government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov

as required by Rule G(4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset

Forfeiture Actions. A Declaration of Publication was filed with the Court on June 25, 2009.

5. In addition to the public notice of forfeiture, notice was served upon Rachel Higuera,

Nestora Cruz Gonzales, and Augustin Gonzales. Claimant Rachel Higuera filed a claim and answer

in this action. No other parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time for which

any person or entity may file a claim and answer has expired.

6. The Clerk of the Court entered Clerk's Certificates of Entry of Default against

Nestora Cruz Gonzales and Augustin Gonzales on June 26, 2009. Pursuant to Local Rule 540, the

United States and Claimant Rachel Higuera thus join in a request that as part of this Final Judgment

of Forfeiture in this case the Court enter a default judgment against the interest, if any, of Nestora

Cruz Gonzales and Augustin Gonzales. 

7. Claimant Rachel Higuera represents and warrants that she is the sole owner of the

defendant vehicle and defendant currency.

Based on the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:

1. The Court adopts the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture entered into by and

between the parties to this action.

2. Judgment is herebyentered against Rachel Higuera, NestoraCruz Gonzales, Augustin

Gonzales and all other potential claimants who have not filed claims in this action. 

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 2

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3. Upon entryof a Final Judgment ofForfeiture, the defendant approximately$2,883.00

in U.S. Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on that amount, shall be forfeited

to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law.

4. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein, but no later than 10 days

thereafter, the defendant 2007 Chrysler 300, License Number 5ZFM697, VIN: 

2C3KA43R87H747024 shall be returned to Claimant Rachel Higuera through her attorney Eric P.

Escamilla, Law Office of Eric P. Escamilla, 923 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 100, Fresno, California

93721, telephone (559) 485-2535.

5. Plaintiff United States of America and its servants, agents, and employees, and all

other public entities, their servants, agents, and employees, are released from any and all liability

arising out of or in any way connected with the arrest, seizure, or forfeiture of the defendant vehicle

and defendant currency. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated

injuries, and/or damages arising out of said arrest, seizure, or forfeiture, as well as to those now

known or disclosed. The parties waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.

6. There was reasonable cause for the seizure and arrest of the defendant vehicle and

defendant currency and the Court may enter a Certificate of ReasonableCause pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 2465. 

7. All parties will bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees.

SO ORDERED THIS 17th day of February , 2010.

 /s/ Lawrence J. O’Neill 

LAWRENCE J. O’NEILL

United States District Court Judge

CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE

Based upon the allegations set forth in the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem filed April 6,

2009, and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters this

Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause for

seizure of the defendant vehicle and defendant currency.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 17, 2010 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 3

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b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 4

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