Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02124/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02124-3/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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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

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, ) 2:07-CV-02124-LKK-KJM

)

Plaintiff, ) JOINT STATUS (PRETRIAL

) SCHEDULING) REPORT AND v. ) REQUEST FOR STAY AND 

) ORDER 

2004 HONDA ATV TRX350, VIN: )

478TE240244307570, and )

 )

2004 HONDA ATV TRX400FA RANCHER, )

VIN: 478TE29034413393, )DATE: January 22, 2008

)TIME: 11:30 a.m.

Defendants. )COURTROOM: Chambers/4 )

Plaintiff United States of America and claimants Kurt and

Monica Karst (collectively “the parties”) submit the following

Status Report pursuant to the Court's November 8, 2007, order.

(a) Parties: The U.S. Attorney's Office, through the

undersigned counsel, represents the plaintiff United States of

America.

Claimants are represented by Brenda Grantland.

(b) Summary of Facts and Legal Theories:

The United States alleges this property is subject to

forfeiture to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §

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 881(a)(6) because plaintiff contends the ATV’s were purchased

with the proceeds of drug (marijuana) trafficking.

Claimants contend the ATV’s were purchased with lawfullyobtained funds.

(c) Service of Process: 

 The owners of the defendant property, Kurt and Monica

Karst, were served with the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem,

Notice of Complaint, Application and Order for Publication, Lis

Pendens, and Court Notices. The Karsts filed Claims to the

property and filed Answers to the Complaint for Forfeiture In

Rem. 

On November 1, 2007, the U.S. Marshal arrested the defendant

vehicle as authorized by the Warrant for Arrest In Rem issued on

or about October 8, 2007. 

Accordingly, service is complete. 

In addition, notice of the forfeiture was published once in

the Feather River Bulletin by the U.S. Marshal. Proof of

Publication was filed with the Court on December 10, 2007. 

(d) Possible Joinder of Additional Parties:

None anticipated.

(e) Any Expected or Desired Amendment of Pleadings:

None.

(f) Jurisdiction and Venue: 

The Court has jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1345, 1355, and 21 U.S.C. § 881. Venue is proper in

this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1395(b) because the

defendant property that is subject to forfeiture was seized in

this district. 

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(g) Anticipated Motions with Suggested Law and Motion 

Dates:

The parties request that this case not be scheduled at this

time because they are requesting a stay of further proceedings

for six months as explained in the following paragraph. 

(h) Anticipated Discovery And The Scheduling Thereof:

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1), 981(g)(2), and 21 U.S.C.

§ 881(i) the parties suggest that a stay of further proceedings

in this case is necessary. The United States contends that the

defendant property was purchased with the proceeds of drug

(marijuana) trafficking and is therefore forfeitable to the

United States. The United States intends to depose the claimants

about the claims they filed in this case; their sources of

income; and their involvement in the cultivation and distribution

of marijuana. If discovery proceeds, claimants would be placed

in the difficult position of either invoking their Fifth

Amendment right against self-incrimination and losing the ability

to protect their alleged interest in the defendant property, or

waiving their Fifth Amendment rights and submitting to

depositions and potentially incriminating themselves in the ongoing criminal investigation. If claimants invoke their Fifth

Amendment rights, the United States will be deprived of the

ability to explore the factual basis for the claims they filed in

this action and the defenses raised in their Answers. 

In addition, claimants intend to depose law enforcement

officers who were involved in the investigation that ultimately

led to the execution of a state search warrant at two residences

owned by claimants and the defendant property. Allowing

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depositions of these officers would adversely affect the ability

of the United States to conduct its related criminal

investigation. 

 Accordingly, the parties contend that proceeding with this

action at this time has potential adverse affects on the

investigation and possible prosecution of the related criminal

case and/or upon claimants' ability to prove their claim to the

property and to contest the government's allegations that the

property is forfeitable. For these reasons, the government

requests that this matter be stayed for a period of six months.

At that time the government will advise the Court whether a

further stay is necessary.

(i) Further Proceedings, Suggested Case Schedule:

The parties request that the case not be scheduled at this

time. 

(j) Special Proceedings:

None.

(k) Demand For Jury Trial:

Claimants made a timely demand for a jury trial. 

(l) Estimate of Trial Time:

No more than 4 court days.

(m) Modification of Standard Pretrial Procedures:

None.

(n) Related Matters:

U.S. v. 6874 Almanor Lake Estates Drive, 2:07-974 LKK/KJM

U.S. v. 1066 Eaton Road, 2:07-975 LKK/KJM

U.S. v. 3077 Nord Avenue, 2:07-1039 LKK/KJM

U.S. v. 2001 Ford Excursion, 2:07-2050 LKK/KJM

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A Related Case Order was filed on November 8, 2007.

(o) Settlement Judge:

The government requests that another judge be assigned as

the settlement judge. 

(p) Use of the Voluntary Dispute Resolution Program:

The parties do not believe VDRP is appropriate in this case.

(q) Other matters:

None known at this time.

DATED: January 8, 2008 McGREGOR W. SCOTT 

United States Attorney

By: /s/ Kristin S. Door KRISTIN S. DOOR

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Dated: Januaary 8, 2008 /s/ Brenda Grantland

BRENDA GRANTLAND

Attorney for claimants

Kurt and Monica Karst

ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, this matter is stayed

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(g)(1) and 981(g)(2) and 21 U.S.C. §

881(i) for six months. On or before August 1, 2008, the parties

will advise the Court whether a further stay is necessary.

The scheduling conference scheduled for January 22, 2008, is

vacated. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 9, 2008.

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