Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-mc-00244/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-mc-00244-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency
Defendant
Jose Ruiz
Claimant
United States of America
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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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 $13,050.00 IN U.S. 

CURRENCY, 

 Defendant. 

 

2:19-MC-00244-TLN-EFB 

CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE 

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

1. On July 31, 2019, inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”) 

seized approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency (“defendant currency”) from Jose Ruiz (“Ruiz”) 

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 September 24, 2019, USPIS 

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

3. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on July 31, 2019, 

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, Express Mail 

MCGREGOR W. SCOTT 

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 2:19-mc-00244-TLN-EFB Document 4 Filed 02/18/20 Page 1 of 3
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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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parcel # EE 307215962 US. The package was addressed to Jose Ruiz, 6379 County Rd 16, Spc #83, 

Orland, CA 95963, with the following return address: Chris Brown, 3421 Beet Rd., Tampa, FL 33610. 

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

enforcement received a call on July 31, 2019 from Jose Ruiz who was calling to inquire about the parcel. 

Ruiz told law enforcement he was expecting a parcel from an unknown sender containing an unknown 

amount of money from his music record company in Florida and gave law enforcement consent to open 

the parcel. Inside the parcel, law enforcement found a DHS mailing pouch containing a box with stacks 

of cash inside totaling $13,050 in U.S. Currency. Later that same day, law enforcement received a call 

from a male who identified himself as Chris Edmondson who stated that his friend, Eric Johnson, had 

mailed parcel and the money inside had been sent in payment for an “under the table” deal for remodel 

work performed by Ruiz on one of Mr. Edmondson’s rental properties. 

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

was presented to a drug detection dog, who positively alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics. 

6. 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). 

7. Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained in this stipulation, Ruiz, 

specifically denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and compromise 

of this matter, Ruiz agrees that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the defendant 

currency. Ruiz 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. 

8. 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. 

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

the defendant currency was seized. 

10. The parties herein desire to settle this matter pursuant to the terms of a duly executed 

Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture. 

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Consent Judgment of Forfeiture

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

AND ADJUDGED: 

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

and between the parties. 

 12. Upon entry of the Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $6,525.00 of the Approximately 

$13,050.00 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. 

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

$6,525.00 of the Approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to claimant Jose Ruiz.

 14. 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. Ruiz waived the provisions of 

California Civil Code § 1542. 

 15. 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. 

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

 17. 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: February 18, 2020 

Case 2:19-mc-00244-TLN-EFB Document 4 Filed 02/18/20 Page 3 of 3