Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01985/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01985-1/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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1 Final Judgment of Forfeiture 

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney 

JEFFREY A. SPIVAK 

Assistant United States Attorney 

501 I Street, Suite 10-100 

Sacramento, California 95814 

Telephone: (916) 554-2700 

Facsimile: (916) 554-2900

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

United States of America 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

 Plaintiff, 

 v. 

APPROXIMATELY $44,000.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY, Defendant. 

CASE NO. 1:14-CV-01985-AWI-SKO 

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herewith, the Court 

finds: 

1. This is a civil forfeiture action against Approximately $44,000.00 in U.S. Currency 

(hereafter “Defendant Currency”). 

2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on December 12, 2014, 

alleging that said Defendant Currency is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 

881(a)(6). 

3. On December 15, 2014, the Clerk issued a Warrant for Arrest for the Defendant 

Currency. The warrant for the Defendant Currency was duly executed on December 18, 

2014. 

4. Beginning on December 18, 2014, for at least 30 consecutive days, the United States 

published notice of this action on the official government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov. A 

Case 1:14-cv-01985-AWI-SKO Document 16 Filed 04/03/15 Page 1 of 4
 

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Declaration of Publication was filed on February 23, 2015. 

5. In addition to public notice on the official internet government forfeiture site 

www.forfeiture.gov, actual notice or attempted notice was given to the following individuals: 

a. Fabian Martinez 

b. Kirk McAllister, Attorney at Law 

c. Joanna Cardenas 

7. To date, no parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time in 

which any person or entity may file a claim and answer has expired. 

8. On March 2, 2015, the United States sought and obtained a Clerk’s Entry of 

Default against Joanna Cardenas. Pursuant to Local Rule 540, the United States and 

Potential Claimant Fabian Martinez thus join in a request that as part of the Final 

Judgment of Forfeiture in this case the Court enter a Default Judgment against the 

interests, if any, of Joanna Cardenas. 

9. Potential Claimant represents and warrants that he is the sole owner of the 

Defendant Currency and that no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of interest 

therein. 

10. No other parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time for which 

any person or entity may file a claim and answer has expired. 

 Based on the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby 

 ORDERED AND ADJUDGED: 

1. The Court adopts the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture entered into by 

and between the parties to this action. 

2. That judgment is hereby entered against Potential Claimant Fabian Martinez, 

Joanna Cardenas and all other potential claimants who have not filed claims in this action. 

3. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture $40,000.00 in U.S. Currency of the 

Defendant Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on the full amount of 

the Defendant Currency, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 

881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law.

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4. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein, but not later than 90 days 

after the Court issues the Final Judgment of Forfeiture or 90 days after Potential Claimant 

has provided the necessary electronic funds transfer paperwork—whichever is later, $4,000.00 

of the Defendant Currency, shall be returned to Potential Claimant via his counsel of record, 

Mr. Kirk McAllister at 1012 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. 

5. Plaintiff 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, arrest, 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, arrest, or forfeiture, as well 

as to those now known or disclosed. The parties waived the provisions of California Civil Code 

§ 1542. 

6. That pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, and the allegations set forth in the 

Complaint filed on or about December 12, 2014, the Court finds that there was reasonable 

cause for the seizure and arrest of the Defendant Currency, and for the commencement and 

prosecution of this forfeiture action, and a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 2465 shall be entered accordingly. 

7. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture entered into between 

the parties, no party “substantially prevailed” within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 2465. All 

parties shall bear their own costs and attorney’s fees. 

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8. The Court shall maintain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this Final Judgment of 

Forfeiture. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: April 3, 2015 

 SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE 

CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE 

Based upon the allegations set forth in the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem filed 

December 12, 2014, and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herewith, this 

Court enters this Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there 

was reasonable cause for the seizure or arrest of the Defendant Currency, and for the 

commencement and prosecution of this forfeiture. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: April 3, 2015 

 SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE 

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