Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01754/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01754-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Approximately $13,900.00 in U.S. Currency
Defendant
United States of America
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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Findings and Recommendations

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $13,900.00 IN 

U.S. CURRENCY, 

Defendant.

No 2:22-cv-1754 MCE DB

FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

This matter came before the Honorable Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes on the United States’ ex 

parte motion for default judgment. There was no appearance by or on behalf of any other person or 

entity claiming an interest in the above-captioned defendant currency to oppose the United States’ 

motion. Based on the United States’ motion and the files and records of the court, THE COURT FINDS 

as follows:

1. This action arose out of a Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem filed October 5, 2022.

2. The United States has moved this Court, pursuant to Local Rule 540, for entry of default 

judgment of forfeiture against potential claimants James Helm, Natasha Langenfeld, and Charles Smith.

3. The United States has shown that a complaint for forfeiture was filed; that potential 

claimants James Helm, Natasha Langenfeld, and Charles Smith received notice of the forfeiture action; 

////

PHILLIP A. TALBERT

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 2:22-cv-01754-MCE-DB Document 17 Filed 12/19/23 Page 1 of 2
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Findings and Recommendations

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that any and all other unknown potential claimants have been served by publication; and that grounds 

exist for entry of a final judgment of forfeiture.

Therefore, IT IS RECOMMENDED as follows:

1. That James Helm, Natasha Langenfeld, and Charles Smith be held in default;

2. That the United States’ motion for default judgment and final judgment of forfeiture be 

granted;

3. That judgment by default be entered against any right, title, or interest of potential 

claimants James Helm, Natasha Langenfeld, and Charles Smith in the defendant currency referenced in 

the above caption;

4. That a final judgment be entered, forfeiting all right, title, and interest in the defendant 

currency to the United States, to be disposed of according to law;

5. That the Default Judgment and Final Judgment of Forfeiture lodged herein be signed by 

the Honorable Morrison C. England, Jr. and filed by the Clerk of the Court.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the 

case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days after being served with 

these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a 

copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings 

and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within fourteen days after 

service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the 

specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 

(9th Cir. 1991).

Dated: December 18, 2023

DLB:6

DB/orders/orders.civil/USv$13,900.1754.f&rs

Case 2:22-cv-01754-MCE-DB Document 17 Filed 12/19/23 Page 2 of 2