Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00080/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00080-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

 Plaintiff, 

 v. 

APPROXIMATELY $5,600.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY, 

and 

APPROXIMATELY $6,740.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY, 

 Defendants. 

 2:16-MC-00080-KJM-AC 

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 

 Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, the Court finds: 

1. On November 11, 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture, Forestry Service 

(“USDA Forest Service”) seized Approximately $5,600.00 in U.S. Currency (the “Rife currency”) and 

Approximately $6,740.00 in U.S. Currency (the “Piccinich currency” and collectively the “defendant 

currency”) during a traffic stop in Trinity County, California. The defendant currency was referred to 

the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) for federal forfeiture. 

2. The FBI commenced administrative forfeiture proceedings, sending direct written notice 

to all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all others. On or about February 1, 2016, the 

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PHILLIP A. TALBERT 

Acting United States Attorney 

KEVIN C. KHASIGIAN 

Assistant U. S. Attorney 

501 I Street, Suite 10-100 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Telephone: (916) 554-2700 

Attorneys for the United States 

Case 2:16-mc-00080-KJM-AC Document 4 Filed 06/24/16 Page 1 of 4
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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FBI received claims from Jamin Rife (“Rife”) and Ashley Piccinich (“Piccinich”) asserting ownership 

interest in the defendant currency. 

3. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on November 

11, 2015, the USDA Forest Service conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Rife. The vehicle 

was also occupied by Piccinich. A law enforcement agent approached the vehicle and noticed the 

smell of freshly harvested marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The agent asked how much 

marijuana was in the car, and both occupants said there was a small amount in the trunk. After 

obtaining consent to search the vehicle, law enforcement agents located a quantity of marijuana in the 

trunk and scissors commonly used to trim marijuana, and the defendant currency. The Rife currency 

was located in Rife’s purse. The cash was divided in two bundles and placed in envelopes. The 

Piccinich currency was located Piccinich’s purse. 

4. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that Rife and 

Piccinich were interviewed separately. Rife told law enforcement agents there was approximately six 

pounds of marijuana in the trunk that she (Rife) and Piccinich were splitting evenly. Rife also said she 

was carrying about $6,000.00 in cash. Rife indicated that she was self-employed as a nanny and farm 

hand. She said she had been working on marijuana and vegetable farms. 

5. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that Piccinich 

also told law enforcement agents that half the marijuana found in the trunk belonged to her. Piccinich 

acknowledged carrying close to $7,000.00 in cash, which was money she had earned from working real 

estate and waiting tables in New York. 

6. The United States could further show at a forfeiture trial that the defendant currency is 

forfeitable to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6). 

 7. Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained above, Rife and 

Piccinich specifically denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and 

compromise of this matter agrees that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the 

defendant currency. Rife and Piccinich hereby acknowledge that they are the sole owners 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 government with regard to 

Case 2:16-mc-00080-KJM-AC Document 4 Filed 06/24/16 Page 2 of 4
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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its forfeiture of the defendant currency, Jamin Rife and Ashley Piccinich shall hold harmless and 

indemnify the United States, as set forth below. 

 8. This Court has jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1345 and 1355, as 

this is the judicial district in which acts or omissions giving rise to the forfeiture occurred. 

 9. This Court has venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1395, as this is the judicial district in 

which the defendant currency was seized. 

10. The parties herein desire to settle this matter pursuant to the terms of a duly executed 

Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture. 

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

AND ADJUDGED: 

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

and between the parties. 

 2. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $3,600.00 of the Approximately 

$5,600.00 in U.S. Currency and $4,740.00 of the Approximately $6,740.00 in U.S. Currency, together 

with any interest that may have accrued on the total amount seized, shall be forfeited to the United 

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

3. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, but no later than 60 days thereafter, 

$2,000.00 of the Approximately $5,600.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to Jamin Rife and 

$2,000.00 of the Approximately $6,740.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to claimant Ashley 

Piccinich through their attorney Michael Stepanian. 

 4. The 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 seizure 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 or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. Claimants waived the provisions of 

California Civil Code § 1542. 

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Case 2:16-mc-00080-KJM-AC Document 4 Filed 06/24/16 Page 3 of 4
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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 5. No portion of the stipulated settlement, including statements or admissions made 

therein, shall be admissible in any criminal action pursuant to Rules 408 and 410(a)(4) of the Federal 

Rules of Evidence. 

 6. All parties will bear their own costs and attorney’s fees. 

 7. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court 

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

for the seizure of the above-described defendant currency. 

 IT IS SO ORDERED 

DATED: June 24, 2016. 

Case 2:16-mc-00080-KJM-AC Document 4 Filed 06/24/16 Page 4 of 4