Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00118/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-mc-00118-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Approximately $20,150.00 in U.S. Currency
Defendant
United States of America
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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 $20,150.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

2:16-MC-00118-TLN-AC

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

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

1. On February 9, 2016, agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service 

(“USPIS”) seized approximately $20,150.00 in U.S. Currency (“the defendant currency”) from Mei 

during a parcel interdiction at the Processing and Distribution Center located in West Sacramento, 

California. 

2. USPIS commenced administrative forfeiture proceedings, sending direct written notice 

to all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all others. On or about March 28, 2016, 

USPIS received a claim from Mei asserting an ownership interest in the defendant currency.

3. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on February 9, 

2016, USPIS conducted a parcel interdiction at the Processing and Distribution Center located at 3775 

Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, California. During the interdiction, law enforcement officials 

identified a parcel that bore markers consistent with parcels used for shipping contraband. The 

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

Assistant 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 2:16-mc-00118-TLN-AC Document 4 Filed 07/22/16 Page 1 of 3
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

package was addressed to Zhong Sheng Li (“Li”), 5663 71st Street, Sacramento, California, 95824-

2109, with the following return address: Chris Mei, 255 West 24th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60617.

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

enforcement officials contacted Mei, who confirmed he had sent a package containing cash to Li. Law 

enforcement officials contacted Li, who said he was expecting a “Chinese New Year” gift from Mei. 

Li gave consent to open the parcel. The parcel was presented to a drug detection dog, who positively 

alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics. Upon opening the parcel, law enforcement agents 

discovered a plastic shopping bag containing a text book and multiple dryer sheets inside a vacuum 

sealed bag. Concealed within the text book’s pages were 201 $100 bills and 1 $50 bill; the defendant 

currency. 

5. 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). 

6. 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. Chris Mei 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.

7. 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.

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

which the defendant currency was seized.

9. 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:

Case 2:16-mc-00118-TLN-AC Document 4 Filed 07/22/16 Page 2 of 3
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

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, $11,500.00 of the Approximately 

$20,150.00 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, 

$8,650.00 of the Approximately $20,150.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to claimant Chris Mei 

through his attorney Charles H. Cui.

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: July 21, 2016

Case 2:16-mc-00118-TLN-AC Document 4 Filed 07/22/16 Page 3 of 3