Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00211/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00211-0/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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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

United States of America, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

$4,905.00 in U.S. Currency, 

Defendant. 

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No. CV-12-0211-PHX-FJM

ORDER

The United States filed this action for Forfeiture In Rem against $4,905.00 in United

States currency (“defendant currency”), alleging that defendant currency is subject to

forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) and 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C) for violations of

the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. Claimant Garnett Fisher filed an out

of time claim and answer on April 19, 2012, claiming to have an interest in the defendant

currency (doc. 5). The claim was not signed under penalty of perjury as required by Rule

G(5) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture

Actions (“Supplemental Rules”). The United States notified claimant of the claim deficiency

on May 23, 2012. Motion, ex. 1. Claimant neither responded nor attempted to perfect his

claim. 

We now have before us the United States’ motion to strike the claim (doc. 9).

Claimant did not respond to the motion and the time for doing so has expired. Claimant’s

Case 2:12-cv-00211-FJM Document 10 Filed 11/20/12 Page 1 of 2
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failure to respond may be deemed a consent to the granting of the motion and we may

dispose of it summarily. LRCiv 7.2(i). 

Under Rule G(5)(a)(i)(C) of the Supplemental Rules, a person asserting an interest in

the defendant property must file a claim “signed by the claimant under penalty of perjury.”

The pleading requirements in Rule G(5) are not merely procedural technicalities, but instead

must be strictly enforced. Verification is essential because of the substantial danger of false

claims. 

Here, claimant failed to meet the requirement of Rule G(5)(a)(i)(C), failed to respond

to the government’s notice of the deficiency, and has now failed to respond to the motion to

strike.

Therefore, IT IS ORDERED GRANTING the United States’ motion to strike claim

and answer (doc. 9). 

DATED this 20th day of November, 2012.

Case 2:12-cv-00211-FJM Document 10 Filed 11/20/12 Page 2 of 2