Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01523/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01523-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Approximately $311,800.00 in U.S. Currency
Defendant
Noel Castillo
Claimant
Denice Hector
Claimant
United States
Plaintiff

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BENJAMIN B. WAGNER

United States Attorney

DEANNA L. MARTINEZ

Assistant United States Attorney

United States Courthouse

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, California 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4000

Facsimile: (559) 497-4099

Attorneys for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $311,800.00 IN U.S.

CURRENCY,

Defendant.

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1:09-CV-01523-LJO-SMS

FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE

Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court finds:

1. This is a civil forfeiture action against defendant approximately $311,800.00 in U.S.

Currency (hereafter “defendant currency”). 

2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem was filed on August 27, 2009, seeking

the forfeiture of the defendant currency, alleging said currency is subject to forfeiture to the United

States of America pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) because the defendant currency constitutes

moneys or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for a controlled

substance or listed chemical, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange and/or was used or intended

to be used to facilitate one or more violations of 21 U.S.C. § 841 et seq.

3. On September 3, 2009, in accordance with said Complaint, a Warrant for Arrest of

Articles In Rem for the defendant currency was issued and duly executed on September 10, 2009.

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Final Judgment of Forfeiture

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4. Public notice of the forfeiture action was published on the official internet

government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov for at least 30 consecutive days beginning September

19, 2009, as required byRule G(4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and

Asset Forfeiture Actions. The Declaration of Publication was filed with the Court on November 5,

2009.

5. In addition to the publication of the forfeiture action, actual notice was personally

served upon claimant Noel Castillo and Denice Hector. Claimant Noel Castillo filed a claim and an

Answer in this action. 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. 

6. The Clerk of the Court entered a Clerk's Certificate of Entryof Default againstDenice

Hector on November 17, 2009. Pursuant to Local Rule 540, the United States and claimant Noel

Castillo thus join in a request that as part of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture in this case the Court

enter a default judgment against the interests if any, of Denice Hector.

7. Claimant Noel Castillo represents and warrants that he is the sole owner of the

defendant currency.

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. Judgment is hereby entered against Noel Castillo, Denice Hector, and all other

potential claimants who have not filed claims in this action.

3. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture, the defendant approximately

$311,800.00 in U.S. Currency, together with anyinterest that may have accrued on this amount, shall

be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to

law.

4. 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

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arising out of or in any way connected with the arrest, 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 arrest, seizure, or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. 

The parties waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.

5. There was reasonable cause for the seizure and arrest of the defendant currency, and

the Court may enter a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465.

6. All parties shall bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees.

IT IS SO ORDERED. MY SIGNATURE IN THE CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE 

IS INTENDED TO BE THE SIGNATURE FOR THE ORDER AS WELL.

CERTIFICATE OF REASONABLE CAUSE

Based upon the allegations set forth in the Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem filed August 27,

2009, and the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters this

Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause for

the seizure and arrest of the defendant currency.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 21, 2010 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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