Opinion
18 Cr. 736 (NSR)
07-27-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ULYSSES LOPEZ, Defendant.
FINAL ORDER OF FORFEITURE
HONORABLE NELSON S. ROMAN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
WHEREAS, on or about February 2, 2021, this Court entered a Consent Preliminary Order of Forfeiture as to Specific Property/Money Judgment (the “Preliminary Order of Forfeiture”) (D.E. 164), which ordered the forfeiture to the United States of all right, title and interest of ULYSSES LOPEZ (the “Defendant”) in the following property:
i. 2009 Mercedes Benz ML350, VIN: 4JGBB86E49A464139 seized by the Government on or about October 11, 2018(the “Specific Property”);
WHEREAS, the Preliminary Order of Forfeiture directed the United States to publish, for at least thirty (30) consecutive days, notice of the Preliminary Order of Forfeiture, notice of the United States= intent to dispose of the Specific Property, and the requirement that any person asserting a legal interest in the Specific Property must file a petition with the Court in accordance with the requirements of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 853(n)(2) and (3). The Preliminary Order of Forfeiture further stated that the United States could, to the extent practicable, provide direct written notice to any person known to have an alleged interest in the Specific Property and as a substitute for published notice as to those persons so notified;
WHEREAS, the provisions of Title 21, United State Code, Section 853(n)(1), Rule 32.2(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Rules G(4)(a)(iv)(C) and G(5)(a)(ii) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions, require publication of a notice of forfeiture and of the Government's intent to dispose of the Specific Property before the United States can have clear title to the Specific Property;
WHEREAS, the Notice of Forfeiture and the intent of the United States to dispose of the Specific Property was posted on an official government internet site (www.forfeiture.gov) beginning on April 15, 2021, for thirty (30) consecutive days, through May 14, 2021 pursuant to Rule G(4)(a)(iv)(C) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty and Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions and proof of such publication was filed with the Clerk of the Court on June 29, 2021 (D.E. 180);
WHEREAS, thirty (30) days have expired since final publication of the Notice of Forfeiture and no petitions or claims to contest the forfeiture of the Specific Property have been filed;
WHEREAS, the Defendant is the only person or entity known by the Government to have a potential interest the Specific Property;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(n)(7), the United States shall have clear title to any forfeited property if no petitions for a hearing to contest the forfeiture have been filed within thirty (30) days of final publication of notice of forfeiture as set forth in Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(n)(2);
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED THAT:
1. All right, title and interest in the Specific Property is hereby forfeited and vested in the United States of America and shall be disposed of according to law.
2. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(n)(7) the United States of America shall and is hereby deemed to have clear title to the Specific Property.
3. The United States Marshals Service (or its designee) shall take possession of the Specific Property and dispose of the same according to law, in accordance with Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(h).
The Clerk of the Court is kindly directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 181.
SO ORDERED.