Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-mc-00107/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-mc-00107-12/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 $34,251.43 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY SEIZED FROM BANK OF 

AMERICA ACCOUNT NUMBER 000905941180, 

HELD IN THE NAME ARMANDO FLORES 

VASQUEZ, and

APPROXIMATELY $2,043.62 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY SEIZED FROM BANK OF 

AMERICA ACCOUNT NUMBER 000905548374, 

HELD IN THE NAME ARMANDO FLORES 

VASQUEZ,

Defendants.

2:13-MC-00107-TLN-CKD 

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF 

FORFEITURE

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

1. In August 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Sacramento 

County Sheriff Department (“SCSD”) initiated an investigation on a Drug Trafficking Organization 

(“DTO”) located in California’s Central Valley. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation and DEA in Hawaii and DEA in Las Vegas, NV, two undercover agents infiltrated the 

DTO in Sacramento, CA. Armando Vasquez (“Vasquez) was identified as the primary caretaker of the 

DTO'S methamphetamine business in Sacramento, CA. 

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

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 2:13-mc-00107-TLN-CKD Document 27 Filed 10/02/15 Page 1 of 4
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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2. The DEA commenced administrative forfeiture proceedings, sending direct written 

notice to all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all others. On or about July 15, 2013, 

the DEA received a claim from Armando Flores Vasquez asserting an ownership interest in the 

defendant funds.

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

August 2012, the DEA and the SCSD initiated an investigation on a DTO located in California’s 

Central Valley. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and DEA in Hawaii and 

DEA in Las Vegas, NV, two undercover agents infiltrated the DTO in Sacramento, CA. Vasquez was 

identified as the primary caretaker of the DTO'S methamphetamine business in Sacramento, CA.

4. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that during the nine 

month investigation, the undercover agents purchased, on three separate occasions, methamphetamine 

from Vasquez and associates. In total, agents purchased approximately three pounds of 

methamphetamine for $23,500.00.

5. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on or about April 

25, 2013, the investigation concluded with the execution of eight federal search warrants in 

Sacramento, San Jose and Atwater, CA. Vasquez and others were arrested on federal drug charges for 

violations of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. The warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 

$200,000.00 in cash, twelve pounds of methamphetamine, thirteen handguns, one sawed-off shotgun, 

three assault rifles, two vehicles, eight arrests, and the dismantling of one methamphetamine conversion 

laboratory. 

6. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that on or 

about May 6, 2013, DEA agents executed a federal seizure warrant at Bank of America and seized the 

defendant funds.

7. On or about December 19, 2013, Armando Flores Vasquez entered into a plea 

agreement in criminal case number 13-00443-02-DKW wherein he pleaded guilty to Conspiracy and 

Distribution of Methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841 (a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(A). On 

November 13, 2014, Vasquez was sentenced to 109 months in prison.

8. The United States could further show at a forfeiture trial that the defendant funds are 

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

9. Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained in this stipulation and for 

the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and compromise of this matter, Armando Flores 

Vasquez agrees that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the defendant funds. 

Armando Flores Vasquez hereby acknowledges that they he is the sole owner of the defendant funds, 

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 its forfeiture of the 

defendant funds, Armando Flores Vasquez shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States, as set 

forth below.

10. 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.

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

which the defendant funds were seized.

12. 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:

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

between the parties.

14. Upon entry of the Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $16,251.43 of the Approximately 

$34,251.43 in U.S. Currency seized from Bank of America Account Number 000905941180, held in 

the name of Armando Flores Vasquez and Approximately $2,043.62 in U.S. Currency seized from 

Bank of America Account Number 000905548374, held in the name of Armando Flores Vasquez, 

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.

15. Upon entry of the Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, but no later than 60 days thereafter, 

$18,000.00 of the Approximately $34,251.43 in U.S. Currency seized from Bank of America Account 

Number 000905941180, held in the name of Armando Flores Vasquez, shall be returned to potential 

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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claimant Armando Flores Vasquez through his attorney William A. Harrison. 

16. 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 funds. 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. Armando Flores Vasquez waives the 

provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.

17. 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.

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

19. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent 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 seizure of the above-described defendant funds.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 1, 2015

Case 2:13-mc-00107-TLN-CKD Document 27 Filed 10/02/15 Page 4 of 4