Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02586/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02586-5/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 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further Proceedings

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $30,670.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO 

STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

The United States and claimant Christian Dapaah (“claimant”) hereby stipulate that a stay is 

necessary in the above-entitled action, and request that the Court enter an order staying all further 

proceedings due to an on-going related criminal case against claimant Christian Dapaah in Stanislaus 

County Superior Court People v. Christian William Dapaah, Case Number 1469889. A Preliminary 

Hearing is presently scheduled for January 26, 2017.

1. Claimant has filed a claim in this in rem forfeiture action, asserting he is the legal and 

rightful owner of the defendant property in this action. ECF No. 6.

2. The stay is requested pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2). The United 

States contends that the defendant currency was derived from or was intended to be used in a violation 

of federal law, 21 U.S.C. § 841, et seq. (manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to 

manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance). Claimant denies these allegations.

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

JEFFREY A. SPIVAK

Assistant U. S. Attorney

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, CA 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Attorneys for the United States

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 26 Filed 01/05/17 Page 1 of 3
2 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further Proceedings

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3. The United States intends to depose claimant Dapaah regarding his claim and the 

allegations as set forth in the complaint. If discovery proceeds at this time, claimant will be placed in 

the difficult position of either invoking his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and 

losing the ability to pursue his claim to the Defendant Currency, or waiving his Fifth Amendment rights 

and submitting to a deposition and potentially incriminating himself. If he invokes his Fifth 

Amendment rights, the United States will be deprived of the ability to explore the factual basis for the 

claim he filed with this court.

4. In addition, claimant intends to depose, among others, law enforcement involved with 

this and other investigations. Allowing depositions of the law enforcement officers at this time would 

adversely impact the ability of such law enforcement officers to prosecute the alleged underlying 

criminal conduct.

5. The parties recognize that proceeding with this action at this time would have potential 

adverse effects on the criminal case and/or upon the claimant’s ability to assert any defenses to 

forfeiture. For these reasons, and because the parties are attempting to settle the civil forfeiture case, 

the parties jointly request that these matters be stayed until March 24, 2017, in accordance with the 

terms of this stipulation. 

6. At that time the parties will advise the court of the status of the criminal investigation 

and will advise the court whether a further stay is necessary. 

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: December 22, 2016 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Spivak JEFFREY A. SPIVAK

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Dated: December 22, 2016 /s/ Austin Thompson

AUSTIN THOMPSON

GARCIA, SCHNAYERSON & THOMPSON

Attorney for Claimant Christian Dapaah

(as authorized by email 12/22/2016)

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 26 Filed 01/05/17 Page 2 of 3
3 Stipulation and Order to Stay Further Proceedings

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ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, this matter is stayed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and 

981(g)(2) until March 24, 2017, in accordance with the terms of this stipulation. On or before March

17, 2017, the parties will advise the court whether a further stay is necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 4, 2017

Case 2:14-cv-02586-MCE-DB Document 26 Filed 01/05/17 Page 3 of 3