Opinion
SI 19 Cr. 664 (VB)
10-14-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BARBARA MEYZEN, a/k/a "Bobbie Meyzen," Defendant.
FINAL ORDER OF FORFEITURE
HONORABLE VINCENT L. BRICCETTI UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
WHEREAS, on or about March 19, 2021, this Court entered a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture as to Substitute Assets (the "Preliminary Order of Forfeiture") (D.E. 37), which ordered the forfeiture to the United States of all right, title and interest of BARBARA MEYZEN (the "Defendant") in the following property:
i. $4,000 in United States currency in a Westchester Bank envelope;
ii. USPS blank money orders in the amounts of $1,000, $835, and $899.33, totaling $2,734; and
iii. $ 1, 317 in United States currency from the Defendant's purse/wallet(the "Substitute Assets");
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 Substitute Assets, and the requirement that any person asserting a legal interest in the Substitute Assets 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 Substitute Assets 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 Substitute Assets before the United States can have clear title to the Substitute Assets;
WHEREAS, the Notice of Forfeiture and the intent of the United States to dispose of the Substitute Assets was posted on an official government internet site (www.forfeiture.gov) beginning on June 22, 2021, for thirty (30) consecutive days, through July 21, 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 October 12, 2021 (D.E. 38);
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 Substitute Assets have been filed;
WHEREAS, the Defendant is the only person and/or entity known by the Government to have a potential interest the Substitute Assets;
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 Substitute Assets are 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 Substitute Assets.
3. The United States Marshals Service (or its designee) shall take possession of the Substitute Assets and dispose of the same according to law, in accordance with Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(h).
SO ORDERED: