Opinion
BENJAMIN B. WAGNER, United States Attorney, JEFFREY A. SPIVAK, Assistant United States Attorney, Fresno, California, Attorneys for the United States.
FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE
ANTHONY W. ISHII, Senior District Judge.
Pursuant to the Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture, the Court finds:
1. This is a civil forfeiture action against the Defendant Approximately $18,920.00 in U.S. Currency (hereafter "Defendant Currency") seized on or about April 8, 2013.
2. A Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem ("Complaint") was filed on September 11, 2013, alleging that said Defendant Currency is subject to forfeiture to the United States of America pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6).
3. On October 22, 2013, the Clerk issued a Warrant for Arrest for the Defendant Currency. The warrant for the Defendant Currency was duly executed on October 25, 2013.
4. Beginning on September 13, 2013, for at least 30 consecutive days, the United States published notice of this action on the official government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov. A Declaration of Publication was filed on October 17, 2013.
5. In addition to the public notice on the official internet government forfeiture site www.forfeiture.gov, actual notice or attempted notice was given to the following individuals:
a. Christian William Dapaah
b. Jesse J. Garcia, attorney
6. On November 27, 2013, Christian William Dapaah (hereafter "Claimant") filed his claim to the Defendant Currency. His answer was filed on December 24, 2013. To date, no other parties have filed claims or answers in this matter, and the time in which any person or entity may file a claim and answer has expired.
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. That judgment is hereby entered against Christian William Dapaah and all other potential claimants.
3. Upon entry of this Final Judgment of Forfeiture, $14,920.00 of the Defendant Approximately $18,920.00 in U.S. Currency, together with any interest that has accrued on the entire $18,920, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law.
4. Upon entry of a Final Judgment of Forfeiture herein, but no later than 45 days thereafter, $4,000.00 of the Defendant Approximately $18,920.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to Claimant through his attorney Jesse J. Garcia, Garcia, Schnayerson & Thompson, 225 W. Winton, Suite 208, Hayward, CA 94544-1219, telephone (510) 887-7445.
5. That 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, arrest, 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, arrest, or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. Claimant agrees to waive the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.
6. That pursuant to the stipulation of the parties, and the allegations set forth in the Complaint filed on September 11, 2013, the Court finds that there was probable cause for the arrest and seizure of the Defendant Currency, and for the commencement and prosecution of this forfeiture action, and a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465 shall be entered accordingly.
7. All parties shall bear their own costs and attorney's fees.
8. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this Stipulation for Final Judgment of Forfeiture and Final Judgment of Forfeiture.
IT IS SO ORDERED.