Opinion ID: 3166703
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Foster’s 2011 Motion for Return of Property

Text: On November 3, 2011, Foster filed the instant pro se motion for the return of the seized property, citing Rule 41(g). Foster argued that his family was entitled to the return of these items because the items were not used as evidence in his prosecution and were “not part of a[n] order of forfeiture” or fine in his federal criminal case. Foster also asked for an evidentiary hearing if there was a factual dispute. Foster attached a copy of the DEA’s “Report of Investigation” containing, inter alia, a list of items seized from Foster’s residence and car on March 13, 2008 and two letters, dated June 2011, that Foster said he and his mother sent to the DEA asking for the return of the seized items. In November 2013, the district court directed the government to respond to Foster’s motion. The government’s response indicated that it no longer had possession of the items because the cash and firearm had been administratively forfeited pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881 and then the firearm and the other items had been destroyed. The government submitted declarations of forfeiture and DEA “Disposition of Nondrug Evidence” forms confirming that the cash was forfeited in June 2008, the firearm was forfeited in August 2008 and approved for destruction in December 2009, and the cell phones, camera, and laptop were approved for destruction in March 2010. 3 Case: 15-11829 Date Filed: 12/31/2015 Page: 4 of 12 The district court, stressing deficiencies in the government’s documentary evidence, directed the government to supplement the record with sworn declarations “to demonstrate that the property was in fact destroyed” and “to demonstrate that the Taurus pistol and the currency were legally forfeited under the applicable law.” The district court gave Foster leave to “respond to the government’s submissions and argument in writing within thirty days thereafter.” The district court also directed Foster to “address any legal or equitable relief that he is seeking with respect to the property that is at issue on this motion.” The government’s supplemental response included declarations from DEA Agent Frederick Swoope, Sr. and DEA Forfeiture Counsel Vicki Rashid. According to this evidence, the DEA’s non-drug evidence custodian in fact destroyed the cell phones, camera, and laptop on March 9, 2010, as reflected on the DEA forms. Further, on April 1, 2008, the DEA pursued administrative forfeiture of the $4,303 and the pistol under to 19 U.S.C. § 1609. To that end, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1607(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 983(a), the DEA mailed written notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Foster, his wife, his son, and someone named Brittany Cresfield, all of which were signed as received on April 3, 2008. The DEA also published notices in the Wall Street Journal on April 14, 21, and 28, 2008. When no properly executed claims were filed before the stated deadlines, the DEA administratively forfeited the currency on June 13, 2008 and the pistol on 4 Case: 15-11829 Date Filed: 12/31/2015 Page: 5 of 12 August 15, 2008. Attached to the government’s declarations were copies of the mailed notices, the signed return receipt cards, and the published legal notices, as well as a case inventory from the non-drug evidence custodian. Foster filed a response arguing that there was no court order permitting the destruction of the seized items, and that the administrative forfeiture of the pistol and currency was improper because there was no proof those items were derived from proceeds traceable to the commission of his cocaine conspiracy. Foster sought $8,022.95, which he claimed was the value of the seized items. Foster did not allege, much less attempt to prove, that he failed to receive notice of the administrative forfeiture proceedings.