Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-02054/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-02054-2/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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1 Final Judgment of Forfeiture

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

JEFFREY A. SPIVAK

Assistant United States Attorney

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, California 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Facsimile: (559) 497-4099

Attorneys for Plaintiff

United States of America

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

APPROXIMATELY $48,000.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

 Defendant.

CASE NO. 1:14-CV-02054 WBS -BAM

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herewith, the Court 

finds:

1. This is a civil forfeiture action against Approximately $48,000.00 in U.S. Currency 

(hereafter “Defendant Currency”).

2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on December 23, 2014, alleging 

that said Defendant Currency is subject to forfeiture to the United States of America pursuant 

to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6).

3. On January 16, 2015, the Clerk of the Court issued a Warrant for Arrest for the 

Defendant Currency which was duly executed.

4. Beginning on December 31, 2014, for at least 30 consecutive days, the United States 

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

Declaration of Publication was filed with the Court on February 27, 2015.

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2 Final Judgment of Forfeiture

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5. In addition to public notice on the official internet government forfeiture site 

www.forfeiture.gov, actual notice or attempted notice was given to the following individuals:

a. Rolando Exposito

b. Jacek Lentz, Attorney at Law

c. Andrew Alvarez

6. On April 9, 2015, Claimant Rolando Exposito filed his verified claim in this action.

To date, no other parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time in 

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

7. The Clerk of the Court entered a Clerk’s Certificate of Entry of Default against 

Andrew Alvarez on April 15, 2015. Pursuant to Local Rule 540, the United States and 

Claimant Rolando Exposito thus join in a request that as part of the Final Judgment of 

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

Andrew Alvarez.

8. Claimant Rolando Exposito represents and warrants that he is the sole owner of 

the Defendant Currency and that no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of 

interest therein. Should any person or entity institute any kind of claim or action against 

the United States with regard to its forfeiture of all or part of the Defendant Currency, 

Claimant shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States.

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. That judgment is hereby entered against Claimant Rolando Exposito, Andrew 

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

3. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein $36,000.00 in U.S. Currency of

the Defendant Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on the full amount 

of the Defendant Currency, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 

881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law.

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4. Upon entry of the Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein, but not later than 90 days 

after the Court issues the Final Judgment of Forfeiture or 90 days after Claimant has 

provided the necessary electronic funds transfer paperwork– whichever is later, $12,000.00 of 

the Defendant Currency shall be returned to Claimant via his counsel of record, Mr. Jacek

Lentz at 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1996, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

5. The Parties and their 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 seizure, arrest, or forfeiture of the Defendant 

Currency. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated injuries, 

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

or disclosed. Claimant has waived the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.

6. Pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, and the allegations set forth in the 

Complaint filed on or about December 23, 2014, the Court finds that there was reasonable 

cause for the seizure and arrest of the Defendant Currency, and for the commencement and 

prosecution of this forfeiture action, and a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 2465 shall be entered accordingly.

7. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture entered into between 

the parties, no party “substantially prevailed” within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 2465. All 

parties shall bear their own costs and attorney’s fees.

8. The Court shall maintain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this Final Judgment of 

Forfeiture.

SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 11, 2015

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CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE

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

December 23, 2014, and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herewith, this 

Court enters this Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there 

was reasonable cause for the seizure or arrest of the Defendant Currency, and for the 

commencement and prosecution of this forfeiture.

Dated: May 11, 2015

Case 1:14-cv-02054-WBS-BAM Document 18 Filed 05/12/15 Page 4 of 4