Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04918/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04918-0/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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JOSEPH P. RUSSONIELLO (CSBN 44332)

United States Attorney

BRIAN J. STRETCH (CSBN 163973)

Chief, Criminal Division

PATRICIA J. KENNEY (CSBN 130238)

Assistant United States Attorney

450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36055

San Francisco, California 94102-3495

Telephone: 415.436.6857

Facsimile: 415.436.6748

Attorneys for the United States of America

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

$40,000 IN UNITED STATES

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

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No. C 09-4918 SI

REQUEST TO THE CLERK

TO ENTER A DEFAULT

AND

REQUEST TO TAKE THE JANUARY 29,

2010 CMC OFF CALENDAR

The United States of America, through its undersigned counsel, respectfully requests the

Clerk to enter a default in this case pursuant to Rule 55(a), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and

Rules 6-1 and 6-2, Admiralty Local Rules, on the basis that proper notice has been given, and

that the no claim has been filed by any party claiming any right, title or interest in the above

captioned defendant. Once the Clerk enters a default, the United States plans to move for a

default judgment.

Further, because no one has appeared to defend, a case management conference would

not assist the Court at this juncture in moving the case forward. Thus, the United States also

requests the Clerk to take the case management conference off calendar.

Case 3:09-cv-04918-SI Document 10 Filed 01/28/10 Page 1 of 3
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Request for Default & to Take CMC Off Calendar

No. C 09-4918 SI 2

I. Background

On October 15, 2009, the United States filed this action to obtain the forfeiture of the

above captioned defendants pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6). See Complaint for Forfeiture,

filed October 15, 2009. On October 21, 2009, the United States gave notice to parties who might

have an interest by serving a copy of the Complaint for Forfeiture plus related documents on Erik

Freeman and his attorney, Mark A. Pecora, at their last known addresses. See Certificate of

Service, filed October 21, 2009. Prior to the commencement of this action, Erik Freeman

through his attorney, Mark A. Pecora, filed an administrative claim with the DEA in which Erik

Freeman claimed to own defendant $40,000.

The United States also published notice of this action on an official government internet

site for at least 30 consecutive days, beginning on October 21, 2009, as required by Rule

G(4)(a)(iv)(C), Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture

Actions (“Supp. Rule for Asset Forfeiture ”). See Declaration of Publication, filed on

January 22, 2010. To date, no one has filed a claim to the above captioned defendants or an

answer to the Complaint for Forfeiture. See docket sheet.

II. Request for Entry of A Default

The United States gave direct notice by service of the Complaint for Forfeiture and

related documents to persons known to have an interest as required by Rule G(4)(b). See Supp.

Rule for Asset Forfeiture G(4)(b). The United States also provided notice through an official

government internet site as required by Rule G(4)(a)(iv)(C). See Supp. Rule for Asset Forfeiture

G(4)(a)(iv)(C).

In order to appear and defend property named as defendant in a civil forfeiture action, an

individual receiving direct notice must file a claim within 35 days after receiving that notice

unless the Court extends time. See Supp. Rule for Asset Forfeiture G(5)(a)(i) and G(5)(a)(ii)(A).

Otherwise, an individual asserting an interest in defendant property who did not receive direct

notice must file a claim not later than 30 days after final publication in a newspaper or not later

than 60 days after the first date of publication on an official internet government forfeiture site. 

See Supp. Rule for Asset Forfeiture G(5)(a)(ii)(B). After filing a timely claim, an individual

Case 3:09-cv-04918-SI Document 10 Filed 01/28/10 Page 2 of 3
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Request for Default & to Take CMC Off Calendar

No. C 09-4918 SI 3

seeking to defend the property in a forfeiture action has an additional 20 days to file an answer.

See Supp. Rule for Asset Forfeiture G(5)(b).

In this case, no person has filed a claim or answer within the time limits. Therefore, no

one has asserted the right to defend the above captioned defendants. Accordingly, the United

States requests the Clerk to enter a default. Upon entry of a default, the United States will move

for a default judgment.

Respectfully submitted,

JOSEPH P. RUSSONIELLO

United States Attorney

Dated: January 26, 2010 /s/

PATRICIA J. KENNEY

Assistant United States Attorney

A motion for entry of default judgment has been reserved for hearing on Friday,

April 16, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORN

I

A

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge Susan Illston

Case 3:09-cv-04918-SI Document 10 Filed 01/28/10 Page 3 of 3