Opinion
7:23-CR-16 (WLS)
07-30-2024
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TIMOTHY MICHAEL WOOD Defendant
MICHAEL P. MORRILL Assistant United States Attorney Georgia Bar No.: 545410
MICHAEL P. MORRILL Assistant United States Attorney Georgia Bar No.: 545410
PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE
W. LOUIS SANDS, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
WHEREAS, on April 23, 2024, Defendant Timothy Michael Wood (hereinafter "Wood" or "Defendant"), pled guilty to Count Two of the Indictment charging him with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(viii);
AND WHEREAS, as part of his Plea Agreement, Defendant Wood consented to the forfeiture of the following property, to wit: one (1) Taurus, Model: G3C, 9mm pistol, Serial Number: ACB491206; and two (2) magazines (hereinafter referred to as the "subject property");
AND WHEREAS, in his Plea Agreement, Defendant Wood also waived the requirements of Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 32.2 and 43(a) regarding notice of the forfeiture in the charging instrument, announcement of the forfeiture at sentencing, and incorporation of tire forfeiture in die judgment;
AND WHEREAS, the Court has determined, based on the evidence already in the record, that (1) Defendant has an ownership interest in tire subject properly; (2) that the property is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853; and (3) that the United States has established the requisite nexus between the aforesaid offense(s) and the subject property;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED
THAT:
1. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853,18 U.S.C. § 3554, and Rule 32.2(b), Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the United States has demonstrated the required nexus between the subject property and the offense(s) of conviction and the subject property is hereby forfeited to the United States.
2. Upon the entry of this Order, in accordance with FED. R. CRIM. P. 32.2(b)(3), the Attorney General (or a designee) is authorized to seize the subject property, and to conduct any discovery that may assist in identifying, locating or disposing of the subject property, and to commence any applicable proceeding to comply with statutes governing third-party rights, including giving notice of this Order.
3. The United States shall publish notice of the Order and its intent to dispose of the subject property in such a manner as the United States Attorney General (or his designee) may direct. The United States may also, to the extent practicable, provide written notice to any person known to have an alleged interest in the subject property.
4. Any person, other than die above-named Defendant, asserting a legal interest in the subject property must, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, or no later than sixty (60) days from the first day of publication on the official internet government forfeiture site, www.forfeiture.gov., whichever is earlier, petition die Court for a hearing without a jury to adjudicate the validity of his alleged interest in the subject property, and for an amendment of the Order of Forfeiture, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n). i
5. Pursuant to FED, R, CRIM. P. 32.2(b)(4), this Preliminary Order of Forfeiture shall become final as to the Defendant at the time of entry as sentencing has already commenced. If no third-party files a timely claim, this Order shall become the Final Order of Forfeiture, as provided by FED. R. CRIM. P. 32.2(c)(2).
6. Any petition filed by a third-party asserting an interest in the subject 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 subject property, die time and circumstances of the petitioner's acquisition of the right, tide or interest in the subject property, any additional facts supporting die petitioner's claim and the relief sought.
7. After die disposition of any motion filed under FED. R. CRIM. P. 32.2(c)(1)(A) and before a hearing on the petition, discovery may be conducted in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure upon a showing that such discovery is necessary or desirable to resolve factual issues.
8. The United States shall have clear title to the subject property following the Court's disposition of all third-party interests, or if none, following the expiration of the period provided in 21 U.S.C, § 853(n), for the filing of third-party petitions.
9. The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce this Order, and to amend it as necessary, pursuant to FED. R. CRIM. P. 32.2(e).
SO ORDERED.