Opinion
NO. 11-cr-30105-DRH
02-02-2012
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. CHRISTOPHER E. BRANCH, Defendant.
PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE PURSUANT TO FED.R.CRIM.P 32.2
WITH RESPECT TO FIREARMS OF
CHRISTOPHER E. BRANCH
HERNDON, Chief Judge:
In the Indictment filed in the above cause on June 22, 2011, the United States sought forfeiture of property of defendant, Christopher E. Branch, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(d) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c). The court, upon consideration of guilty plea in this matter, hereby finds that the following property is forfeitable and hereby orders forfeited the following property:
1. One Weatherby, Model Mark XXII, .22 caliber rifle, bearing serial number J-35035;
2. One National Ordnance, Model U.S. M1 Carbine, .30 caliber rifle, bearing serial number 7533; and
3. Any and all ammunition contained within or seized with the above firearms.
The United States shall, under the authority of 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(1) to "publish notice of the order and of its intent to dispose of the property in such matter as the Attorney General may direct," provide notice of the forfeiture and the right of persons other than the defendant who have any claim or legal interest in any of the property to file a petition with the Court. The notice shall be provided in a manner consisted with Supplemental Rule G(4)(a) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions.
The notice shall state that the petition shall be set for a hearing to adjudicate the validity of the petitioner's alleged interest in the property, shall be signed by the petitioner under penalty of perjury, and shall set forth the nature and extent of the petitioner's right, title, or interest in the forfeited property and any additional facts supporting the petitioner's claim for relief.
The United States shall, also to the extent practicable, provide direct written notice to any person known to have alleged an interest in the property that is the subject of the Order for Forfeiture, as the substitute for the published notice to those persons so notified.
Upon the filing a petition alleging the third-party interests in the property, the court may amend this order to resolve the claimed third-party interests.
The United States Marshal or the property custodian for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives shall seize and reduce to his possession, if he has not already done so, the above-described property.
This Order, pursuant to Rule 32.2(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall become final with respect to Defendant Christopher E. Branch at the time of the Defendant's sentencing, regardless of whether or not the rights of actual or potential third-party petitioners have been determined by that time. This Order shall be made part of the sentence of Defendant Christopher E. Branch and shall be included in the Judgment imposed against the Defendant. This Order is a final order with respect to the Defendant, and this Order may be amended with respect to petitions filed by third-parties claiming an interest in the subject-matter forfeited property.
The United States may abandon forfeiture of the property by filing notice of the abandonment with the Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
David R. Herndon
Chief Judge
United States District Court