Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-01940/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-01940-1/pdf.json

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

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 Plaintiff attempted to get claimant’s counsel’s input for 1

this report. Attorney Lerman made some changes to an initial

draft prepared by undersigned counsel, but as of the time this

report was filed had not responded to changes proposed by

undersigned counsel. 

1 PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL

SCHEDULING) REPORT AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

KRISTIN S. DOOR, SBN 84307

Assistant United States Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916)554-2723

Attorneys for Plaintiff

United States of America

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) 2:09-cv-1940 GEB/KJM

 )

Plaintiff, ) PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL 

 ) SCHEDULING) REPORT AND 

v. ) ORDER 

 ) 

REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1 MILE )

UP HENNESSEY ROAD, BURNT RANCH, ) 

CALIFORNIA, TRINITY COUNTY, )

APN: 008-430-02, INCLUDING ) DATE: January 19, 2010

ALL APPURTENANCES AND ) TIME: 9:00 a.m.

IMPROVEMENTS THERETO, ) COURTROOM: 10

 )

Defendant. )

 )

The plaintiff United States of America submits the following

Joint Status (Pretrial Scheduling) Report.1

a. Service:

The forfeiture complaint in rem was served on all

individuals and entities believed to have an interest in the

Case 2:09-cv-01940-GEB -GGH Document 19 Filed 01/15/10 Page 1 of 5
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2 PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL

SCHEDULING) REPORT AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

defendant property. Specifically, Thomas Pickle and James Pickle

were served. Thomas Pickle is the owner of record of the

defendant real property and was living in one of two residences

on the property. James Pickle was living in a second residence.

In addition, in accordance with the Order for Publication

signed on July 16, 2009, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Drozd, notice

of this action was published on the official internet government

website, www.forfeiture.gov, for 30 consecutive days. The

Declaration of Plaintiff was filed on September 21, 2009.

b. Possible joinder of additional parties:

Plaintiff does not anticipate joining additional parties.

Claimant anticipates a joinder, through conservatorship

proceedings, of Thomas Pickle’s wife. (See section e.) Plaintiff

will oppose any effort by any person to file a claim at this late

date. “Thomas Pickle” is the only name that appears on the title

report for the defendant property and he is listed as “Thomas A.

Pickle, and unmarried man, as his sole and separate property.” 

c. Any expected or desired amendment of pleadings:

None anticipated at this time.

d. Jurisdiction and venue:

This Court has jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to 28

U.S.C. §§ 1345 and 1355. This Court has venue pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1395.

e. Anticipated motions and suggested dates:

On or before January 8, 2010, Plaintiff will be filing a

motion to strike the claim and answer filed by Thomas Pickle.

Plaintiff will notice the motion on the next date available on

the Court’s calendar. If the Court grants the motion, plaintiff

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3 PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL

SCHEDULING) REPORT AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

will move for a default judgment and final judgment of

forfeiture. Accordingly, the plaintiff suggests that this case

need not be scheduled at this time. 

Thomas Pickle has been missing since July 2009, and his

attorney believes he is dead. Mr. Pickle’s last whereabouts was

hiking in the mountains of Northern California. Counsel Editte

Lerman was contacted on January 5, 2010, via phone message, by

attorney Darren Wright, who is representing Erlinda Selma Pickle,

Thomas Pickle’s wife, in a conservatorship case involving Mr.

Pickle’s estate. Attorney Darren Wright stated that he was

calling to talk about the forfeiture proceedings that are

involved in the criminal case since they may involve the

conservatorship estate and her estate. Accordingly, Claimant

anticipates a joinder by Erlinda Selma Pickle. 

Plaintiff does not have sufficient information to form an

opinion as to whether Pickle is dead or is a fugitive. And as

noted above, plaintiff will oppose any effort by anyone to file a

claim at this late date.

f. Anticipated and outstanding discovery:

(1) What changes should be made in the timing,

form, or requirement for disclosures under

Rule 26(a), including a statement as to when

disclosures under subdivision (a)(1) were

made or will be made:

(2) The subjects on which discovery may be

needed, when discovery should be completed,

and whether discovery should be conducted in

phases or be limited to or focused upon

particular issues: 

(3) What changes should be made in the

limitations on discovery imposed under the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure of the Local

Rules, and what other limitations should be

imposed:

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4 PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL

SCHEDULING) REPORT AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

As of the December 1, 2006, amendments to Rule 26 of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, civil forfeiture actions are

now exempt from the initial disclosure requirements applicable to

most other civil actions. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(1)(B)(ii).

Rather than schedule this case at this time, plaintiff

suggests that the status conference be continued 120 days to

allow time for a hearing on the motion to strike and a ruling on

the motion. Claimant suggests that the status conference be

continued 120 days to allow time for attorney Darren Wright to

determine the ramifications of the conservatorship case involving

Mr. Pickle’s estate, and to file necessary motions accordingly. 

g. Scheduling of future proceedings, including

suggested timing of the disclosure of expert

witnesses and information required by Rule

26(a)(2), completion dates for discovery and

law and motion, and dates for final pretrial

conference and trial:

In light of the request to continue the status conference

120 days, plaintiff suggests that the case not be scheduled at

this time. 

i. Estimate of trial time:

Plaintiff estimates that a trial of this matter would take

no more than 3 days. 

j. Appropriateness of special procedures:

Not applicable.

k. Modification of standard pretrial procedures

because of the relative simplicity or

complexity of the action or proceedings:

Not applicable.

l. Whether the case is related to any other

case, including any matters in bankruptcy:

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5 PLAINTIFF’S STATUS (PRETRIAL

SCHEDULING) REPORT AND ORDER

(PROPOSED)

This case is related to U.S. v. 17 Coon Creek Road, 2:09-cv1937 GEB/KJM. A Notice of Related Cases was filed on July 17,

2009. 

m. Prospects for settlement:

None at this time. Plaintiff will move promptly for a

clerk’s default pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b)(1) against Thomas

and James Pickle if the motion to strike the claim and answer is

granted, and then will move for final judgment of forfeiture. 

 n. Any other matters that may add to the just

and expeditious disposition of this matter:

None.

DATED: January 6, 2010 BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Kristin S. Door 

KRISTIN S. DOOR

Assistant U.S. Attorney

ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, the status conference now

scheduled for January 19, 2010, is continued to May 24, 2010, at

9:00 a.m. A joint status report addressing the issues listed in

the Court’s July 16, 2009, Order Setting Status (Pretrial

Scheduling) Conference shall be filed fourteen days prior to the

hearing. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 14, 2010

 

GARLAND E. BURRELL, JR.

United States District Judge

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