Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00616/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00616-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 630
Nature of Suit: Liquor Laws
Cause of Action: 21:881 Forfeiture Property-Drugs

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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

STEPHANIE HAMILTON BORCHERS

Assistant U.S. Attorney

United States Courthouse

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, California 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Facsimile: (559) 497-4099

Attorneys for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2232

LOBO AVENUE, MERCED, MERCED,

COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, APN: 057-380-

054, INCLUDING ALL APPURTENANCES

AND IMPROVEMENTS THERETO,

Defendant.

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1:06-CV-00616-AWI-NEW (WMW)

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court finds:

1. This is a civil forfeiture action against real property located at 2232 Lobo Avenue,

Merced, Merced County, California, APN: 057-380-054, (hereafter “defendant real property"), and

more fully described as:

Parcel 1, as shown on that certain map entitled “Parcel Map for 

Dino Bianchi and Mary Corn”, filed December 31, 1996 in Book 

82 Page(s) 6 & 7, of Parcel Maps Merced County Records, 

being a subdivision of Lots 7 and 8 as recorded on Parcel Map 

for Hazel Bianchi, recorded in Volume 32 page 5, 

Merced County Records.

Assessors Parcel No.: 057-380-054.

2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on May 18, 2006, seeking the

forfeiture of the defendant real property, alleging that said real property was used or intended to be

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used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of violations of 21 U.S.C. §§

841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, offenses punishable by more than one year’s imprisonment, and

is therefore subject to forfeiture to the United States, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(7). 

3. On or about June 8, 2006, in accordance with said Complaint, the defendant real

property was posted with a copy of the Verified Complaint and Notice of Complaint in a manner

consistent with the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 985. See the Process Receipt and Return filed June

26, 2006.

4. On July 24, 31, August 7, and 14, 2006, a Public Notice of Posting of the defendant

real property appeared by publication in the Merced Sun-Star, a newspaper of general circulation in

the county in which the defendant real property is located (Merced County). The Proof of

Publication was filed with the Court on August 31, 2006. 

5. In addition to the Public Notice of Posting having been completed, personal notice

was served upon Sergio Padilla and Monica Padilla.

6. Apart from Claimant Monica Padilla, no other parties have filed claims and answers

in this matter, and the time for 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 Sergio

Padilla on August 3, 2007. As of March 3, 2006, the recorded owner of the defendant real property

located at 2232 Lobo Avenue in Merced, California was Monica Padilla. (See Verified Complaint

("Compl.") at ¶ 3 filed May 18, 2006.) The defendant real property was previously held by Monica

Padilla and Sergio Padilla, Husband and Wife as Joint Tenants. (Id.). After Sergio Padilla’s

February 23, 2006 Indictment, Sergio Padilla deeded the defendant real property to Monica Padilla

as the sole owner. (Id.). Claimant Monica Padilla acknowledged in the Stipulation for Final

Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein that she is the sole owner of the defendant real property and that

no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of interest therein. Pursuant to Local Rule A-540,

the United States requests that as part of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture the Court enter a default

judgment against the interest, if any, of Sergio Padilla without further notice. 

Based on the above findings, and the Court being otherwise fully advised in the premises,

it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:

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

between the parties to this action.

2. The judgment is hereby entered against claimant Monica Padilla and all other

potential claimants who have not filed claims in this action.

3. The defendant real property located at 2232 Lobo Avenue, Merced, California,

Merced County, APN: 057-380-054, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §

881(a)(7), to be disposed of according to law. 

4. Upon entry of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture:

a. The U.S. Marshals Service shall list the defendant real property for sale. The

U.S. Marshals Service shall have sole authority to select the means of sale, including sale by internet

or through a licensed real estate broker, and shall have sole authority over the marketing and sale of

defendant real property.

b. The U.S. Marshals Service shall have the real property appraised by a licensed

appraiser of its choosing. Following the entry of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture, but prior to

vacating the defendant real property, the U.S. Marshals Service and the appraiser may have access

to the defendant real property and structures, buildings, or storage sheds thereon upon 24 hours

telephonic notice. 

c. If necessary, the U.S. Marshals Service, and any real estate broker employed

by the U.S. Marshals Service, shall have the right to put a "lock box" on the property to facilitate the

marketing and sale of the property.

d. The following costs, expenses, and distributionsshall be paid in escrow from

the gross sales price in the following priority and to the extent funds are available:

(1) The costs incurred by the U.S. Marshals Service to the date of close

of escrow, including the cost of posting, service, advertising, and

maintenance.

(2) Any unpaid real property taxes, which shall be prorated as of

the date of the entry of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture.

(3) A real estate commission not to exceed the U.S. Marshals Service

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contractual brokerage fee, and such costs of sale as the U.S. Marshals

Service may reasonably incur, including, but not limited to, county

transfer taxes.

(4) The remaining net proceeds shall be forfeited to the United States

pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(7), to be disposed of according to law.

e. Any liens or encumbrances against the defendant real property that appear on

record subsequent to the recording of plaintiff's Lis Pendens on May 24, 2006, and prior to entry of

this Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein may be paid out of escrow.

f. The costs of a lender's policy of title insurance (ALTA policy) shall be paid

for by the buyer.

g. All loan fees, "points" and other costs of obtaining financing shall be paid for

by the buyer of the defendant real property.

h. Each party shall execute all documents necessary to close escrow, if such

signatures are required by the title insurer. 

5. Plaintiff 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 posting, forfeiture, or sale of the defendant real

property. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated injuries, and/or

damages arising out of said posting, forfeiture, or sale, as well as to those now known or disclosed.

The parties waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.

6. Prior to vacating the defendant real property, Claimant Monica Padilla shall maintain

the defendant real property in the same condition and repair as existed as of the date of the posting,

normal wear and tear excepted, until she has vacated the premises. The term "maintain" shall

include, but is not limited to, keeping the property free of hazard and structural defects; keeping all

heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, gas, oil, or other power facilities in good working

condition and repair; keeping the property clean and performing such necessary sanitation and waste

removal; keeping the property in good condition by providing for lawn and yard maintenance; and

other ordinary and necessary items of routine maintenance.

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7. Until the sale of the defendant real property, Claimant Monica Padilla shall maintain

all insurance policies currently in effect with respect to the property, including policies covering

liability to persons injured on said property and for property damage to the defendant real property.

Claimant Monica Padilla shall arrange for the inclusion of a rider to all of the above-mentioned

policies naming the U.S. Marshals Service as the primary beneficiary of the insurance policy.

8. Until the sale of the defendant real property, or until otherwise required to vacate the

property, Claimant Monica Padilla shall allow the U.S. Marshals Service personnel, or its agent, the

right to enter and inspect the property and all buildings thereon on a monthly basis upon 24 hours

telephonic notice.

9. Except as specifically provided herein, Claimant Monica Padilla shall not convey,

transfer, encumber, lien, or otherwise pledge the defendant real property without the prior, written

approval of the United States.

10. Claimant Monica Padilla and all others occupying the defendant real property with

her consent shall vacate the defendant real property within (30) days after receiving notice by the

U.S. Marshals Service of its intention to list the property for sale. Prior to vacating the property

Claimant Monica Padilla shall remove all of her personal possessions, and the personal possessions

of any former occupant, including all vehicles, furniture, and trash, and leave the property clean and

in the same state of repair as the property was on the date it was posted with notice. Any and all of

claimant's personal possessions, and the personal possessions of any former occupant, not removed

within thirty (30) days prior to the close of escrow will be disposed of by the United States without

further notice. 

11. Claimant Monica Padilla stipulates that there was reasonable cause for the posting

of the defendant real property, and that the Court may enter a Certificate of Reasonable Cause

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465.

12. All parties are to bear their own costs and attorneys' fees.

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13. Pending the sale of the defendant real property, and the disposition of the proceeds,

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

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

18, 2006 and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters this

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

the posting of the defendant real property.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 10, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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