Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-mc-00153/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-mc-00153-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

---

1

Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

29

30

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

29

30

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $65,180.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

2:14-MC-00153-TLN-EFB

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF 

FORFEITURE

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

1. On June 10, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) seized 

Approximately $65,180.00 in U.S. Currency (the “defendant currency”), from Paul 

Tuzzolino (“claimant” or “Tuzzolino”) at the YRC Freight (“YRC”) facility located in 

Tracy, California. 

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 September 25, 2014, the DEA received a claim from Tuzzolino asserting ownership 

interest in the defendant currency.

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

June 9, 2014, Tracy Police Department (“TPD”) received information regarding a 

suspicious dock to dock shipment booked through YRC. The shipment originated in 

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 2:14-mc-00153-TLN-EFB Document 10 Filed 05/13/15 Page 1 of 4
2

Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

29

30

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

29

30

Tampa, Florida, and was destined for Santa Rosa, California. On June 10, 2014, law 

enforcement agents from TPD responded to the YRC terminal located at 1535 E Pescadero 

Ave, Tracy, California, and intercepted the parcel. 

4. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial 

that the parcel was a vintage Coke machine, bearing the shipment number 244-270931-X. 

The sender of the parcel was listed as Todd Meixner with an YRC address of 9801 Palm 

River Road, Tampa, Florida. The recipient was listed as Paul Puzzolino with an YRC 

address of 270 Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa, California. The bill of lading indicated the 

shipment was paid through a third party shipping company.

5. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial 

that the parcel was presented to a TPD drug detection dog, who positively alerted to the 

presence of the odor of narcotics. TPD obtained a state search warrant for the parcel and 

subsequently executed the warrant. The search revealed $65,180.00 in cash concealed in 

the refrigeration unit of the Coke machine. The cash was rubber banded and divided into 

two separate freezer bags. The cash was presented to a second TPD drug detection dog, 

who positively alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics. 

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

that law enforcement agents called the phone number listed for the recipient of the 

shipment and spoke to an individual who identified himself as Paul Tuzzolino. Tuzzolino 

confirmed that he was expecting the shipment of a Coke machine, which he had purchased 

online from an unknown individual. Tuzzolino was advised of the search warrant and the 

discovery of the $65,180.00. Tuzzolino claimed he knew nothing about the cash and 

denied ownership of the defendant currency. Tuzzolino was advised that the cash and the 

Coke machine were being seized. Law enforcement agents also attempted to contact the 

sender Todd Meixner, but they were unsuccessful.

7. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial 

that according to the California Employment Development Department, Tuzzolino 

reported $1,200.00 in wages in 2014.

Case 2:14-mc-00153-TLN-EFB Document 10 Filed 05/13/15 Page 2 of 4
3

Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

29

30

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

29

30

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

defendant currency is 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, claimant specifically denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an 

amicable resolution and compromise of this matter, claimant agrees that an adequate 

factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the defendant currency. Claimant hereby 

acknowledges that he is the sole owner of the defendant currency, 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 currency, claimant 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 currency was 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:

1. The Court adopts the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture 

entered into by and between the parties.

2. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $49,380.00 of the 

$65,180.00 in U.S. Currency, 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.

3. Upon entry of this Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, but no later than 60 

days thereafter, $15,800.00 of the $65,180.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to 

Case 2:14-mc-00153-TLN-EFB Document 10 Filed 05/13/15 Page 3 of 4
4

Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

29

30

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

29

30

claimant Paul Tuzzolino through his attorney Beorn Zepp.

4. 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 currency. 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. Claimants waived the provisions of California Civil 

Code § 1542. 

5. 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.

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

7. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture filed 

herein, the Court enters a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, 

that there was reasonable cause for the seizure of the above-described defendant 

currency.

IT IS SO ORDERED

Dated: May 12, 2015

Case 2:14-mc-00153-TLN-EFB Document 10 Filed 05/13/15 Page 4 of 4