Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01538/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01538-0/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Civil No. 06cv1538BEN(LSP)

)

Plaintiff, )

) ORDER GRANTING JUDGMENT OF

v. ) FORFEITURE BY DEFAULT AS TO 

) THE INTEREST OF CHRISTOPHER

12 UNITED STATES POSTAL MONEY ) FREDERICK

ORDERS TOTALING $10,700.00, )

)

)

Defendant. )

) )

 On July 31, 2006 the United States filed a Complaint for

forfeiture against 12 United States Postal Money Orders Totaling

$10,700.00 (“Defendant”). 

 1. On July 31, 2006, a Complaint for Forfeiture was filed in

the above action in the United States District Court for the Southern

District of California against the above defendant. On August 17,

2006, the defendant was seized and arrested by a duly authorized

United States Marshal, who thereafter took possession and custody of

the defendants, pursuant to the Court's Order appointing the United

States Marshals as custodian, dated August 3, 2006. 

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///

Case 3:06-cv-01538-BEN-LSP Document 21 Filed 02/14/07 Page 1 of 3
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2. On August 25, September 1, and September 8, 2006, pursuant

to Rule C(4), Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime

Claims, notice was published in the San Diego Commerce.

3. On August 3, 2006, a Notice of Complaint and a copy of the

Complaint for Forfeiture were sent by certified mail as follows:

Name and address Article No. Result

Marcos Burgos 70042510000330167528 Signed Received

c/- Richard M. Barnett, Esq.

105 West “F” St., 4th Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

Christopher Frederick 70042510000330167511 Unclaimed

1367 Sterling Place 7G

Brooklyn, NY 11213

On September 1, 2006, a Claim and Answer was filed by Marcos

Burgos.

From the time of said notice, no claim or answer has been filed

by Christopher Frederick regarding the above-named defendant.

On November 9, 2006, pursuant to the government’s request for

Clerk’s Entry of Default as to the interest of Christopher

Frederick, the District Court Clerk’s Office entered a Default in

this case.

On November 21, 2006 the United States filed its Notice of

Motion and Motion for Judgment by Default As To The Interest of

Christopher Frederick which was heard January 8, 2007. Potential

claimant, Christopher Frederick, was served notice of the Motion for

Judgment by Default.

No responsive pleadings to contest the default have been filed.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Civil Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000,

the burden of proof in civil forfeiture cases is a preponderance of

the evidence and here the government’s evidence for forfeiture is

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provided in the Declaration of DEA Special Agent Flores, signed

under penalty of perjury and incorporated into the Complaint for

Forfeiture. The evidence provided by Special Agent Flores is

undisputed by claimant. The government has shown by a preponderance

of the evidence that the defendant currency was property involved

in transactions and violations of Title 21, United States Code,

Sections 841(a)(1) and 881(a)(6). 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the costs incurred by the

Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals

Service which were incident to the seizure of the defendant currency

shall be borne by the United states of America.

THEREFORE, GOOD CAUSE APPEARING: 

The interest of Christopher Frederick is hereby condemned and

forfeited to the United States.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: February 14, 2007

Hon. Roger T. Benitez

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-01538-BEN-LSP Document 21 Filed 02/14/07 Page 3 of 3