Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00620/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00620-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 610
Nature of Suit: Forfeiture and Penalty - Agricultural Acts
Cause of Action: 21:881 Forfeiture Property-Drugs

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C320, LICENSE

NO. 5TOP844, VIN:

WDBRF64J32F178527, AND

APPROXIMATELY $1,528.00 IN U.S.

CURRENCY,

Defendants.

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

1:0-6cv-0620 OWW LJO

ORDER AFTER SCHEDULING

CONFERENCE 

Further Scheduling

Conference Date: 1/10/07

8:45 Ctrm. 3

I. Date of Scheduling Conference.

September 27, 2006.

II. Appearances Of Counsel.

Stephanie Hamilton Borchers, Esq., Assistant United States

Attorney, appeared on behalf of Plaintiff.

There was no appearance on behalf of Defendants or any

Claimant. 

III. Summary of Pleadings. 

1. This is an in rem civil forfeiture action. In its

Verified Complaint For Forfeiture In Rem, the government alleges

that the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320, License No. 5TOP844, VIN

Case 1:06-cv-00620-OWW -LJO Document 19 Filed 09/28/06 Page 1 of 5
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

WDBRF64J32F178527 (hereinafter “defendant vehicle”) and

approximately $1,528.00 in U.S. Currency (hereinafter “defendant

currency”), constitutes monies or things of value furnished or

intended to be furnished in exchange for a controlled substance,

all proceeds traceable to such an exchange and/or were used or

intended to be used to facilitate one or more violations of 21

U.S.C. § 841 et seq. The defendant vehicle constitutes a

conveyance used or intended to be used to transport, or in any

manner to facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt,

possession, or concealment of a controlled substance. The

defendant vehicle was seized from Thomas Garza (hereinafter

“Garza”) during a traffic stop at the corner of Shaw and Brawley

Avenues in Fresno, California, on March 20, 2006, along with

approximately $1,528.00 in U.S. Currency found in Garza’s pants

pocket, five (5) grams of marijuana and paperwork for the

purchase of the defendant vehicle from A&M Auto. Accordingly,

Plaintiff seeks to forfeit the defendant vehicle and defendant

currency pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §§ 881(a)(6) and (a)(4).

2. Law enforcement officers advised Garza that his

residence located at 3549 W. San Jose Avenue, Apartment 106,

Fresno, California, was going to be searched. The search

produced a firearm loaded with ten (10) rounds of ammunition and

holsters along with a small scale and approximately 158 grams of

marijuana. Garza was subsequently arrested pursuant to 1997

felony conviction for receiving stolen property and for violation

of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) - Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

3. A&M Financial filed a claim and answer in this action

as an innocent lienholder.

Case 1:06-cv-00620-OWW -LJO Document 19 Filed 09/28/06 Page 2 of 5
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

4. On May 31, 2006, Jessica Sandoval was personally served

with copies of the Complaint, Application and Order for

Publication, Warrant and Summons for Arrest, Order Setting

Mandatory Scheduling Conference, Notice of Availability of a

Magistrate Judge, Notice of Availability of Voluntary Dispute

Resolution, and a letter dated May 23, 2006. On June 2, 2006,

Thomas Garza was personally served with copies of the abovelisted documents. On August 24, 2996, Maria Louisa Blanco was

personally served with copies of the above listed documents. On

August 24, 2006, Maria Louisa Blanco was personally served with

copies of the above-listed documents. None have filed claims.

5. As of the date of the filing of this report, no other

potential claimants have filed claims or answers with the court

in this action.

IV. Orders Re Amendments To Pleadings.

1. The parties do not anticipate filing any amendments to

the pleadings at this time. 

V. Factual Summary.

A. Admitted Facts Which Are Deemed Proven Without Further

Proceedings. 

1. It is uncontested that the government filed a

Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem on May 19, 2006, and

that the defendant vehicle was arrested on May 31, 2006, and

defendant currency was arrested on June 13, 2006, pursuant to a

Warrant and Summons for Arrest issued on May 19, 2006.

2. Claimant A&M financial contends it is an innocent

lienholder and has requested to enter into an expedited

settlement with Plaintiff.

Case 1:06-cv-00620-OWW -LJO Document 19 Filed 09/28/06 Page 3 of 5
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

4

B. Contested Facts.

1. Plaintiff contends the facts are as alleged in its

Verified Complaint.

VI. Legal Issues.

A. Uncontested.

1. Jurisdiction exists under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1345 and

1355 and 21 U.S.C. § 881. 

2. Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1395.

B. Contested. 

1. There are no disputed legal issues at this time.

VII. Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction.

1. The parties have not consented to transfer the 

case to the Magistrate Judge for all purposes, including trial.

VIII. Corporate Identification Statement.

1. Any nongovernmental corporate party to any action in

this court shall file a statement identifying all its parent

corporations and listing any entity that owns 10% or more of the

party's equity securities. A party shall file the statement with

its initial pleading filed in this court and shall supplement the

statement within a reasonable time of any change in the

information. 

IX. Discovery Plan and Cut-Off Date.

1. The parties in this case have been served. No response

has been received and it is the intent of the Plaintiff to seek

defaults of potential claimants. 

2. The Court will extend the time for notice of request to

enter defaults and any defaults for 90 days through and including

December 26, 2006. 

Case 1:06-cv-00620-OWW -LJO Document 19 Filed 09/28/06 Page 4 of 5
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

5

3. A further Scheduling Conference will be held on January

10, 2007, at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 3. 

X. Related Matters Pending.

1. There is a related matter entitled United States v.

Garza, 1:06-cr-0111 OWW which resolved with Garza entering into a

plea agreement on July 28, 2006. Service is required for Roger

Van Actor of A&M Financial. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 27, 2006 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-00620-OWW -LJO Document 19 Filed 09/28/06 Page 5 of 5