United States v. Espinoza

          PRELIMINARY ORDER OF CRIMINAL FORFEITURE

          Hon. Gonzalo P. Curiel, United States District Judge

         WHEREAS, in the Superseding Indictment in the above-captioned case, the United States sought forfeiture of all right, title and interest in specific properties of the above-named Defendant, JOSE ESPINOZA (2) ("Defendant"), pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853, as properties constituting, or derived from, any proceeds Defendant obtained directly or indirectly, as the result of the violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846, as well as any properties used or intended to be used to facilitate the commission of these violations, as charged in the Superseding Indictment; and WHEREAS, on or about June 7, 2016, Defendant pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford to Count 1 of the Superseding Indictment, which plea included consents to the forfeiture allegations of the Superseding Indictment, and to the forfeiture of all property seized in connection with this case, including the following:

a. One 2007 Maroon Nissan X-Terra, California license plate PERDDO, VIN 5N1AN08W37C514847, and

b. $4, 900.00 in U.S. Currency; and WHEREAS, on July 12, 2016, this Court accepted the guilty plea of Defendant; and

         WHEREAS, by virtue of the facts set forth in the plea agreement the United States has established the requisite nexus between the forfeited properties and the offense; and

         WHEREAS, by virtue of said guilty plea, the United States is now entitled to possession of the above-referenced properties, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853 and Rule 32.2(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 32.2(b), the United States having requested the authority to take custody of the above-referenced properties which were found forfeitable by the Court; and WHEREAS, the United States, having submitted the Order herein to the Defendant through his attorney of record, to review, and no objections having been received;

         Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED:

         1. Based upon the guilty plea of the Defendant, the United States is hereby authorized to take custody and control of the following assets, and all right, title and interest of Defendant JOSE ESPINOZA (2) in the following properties are hereby forfeited to the United States for disposition in accordance with the law, subject to the provisions of 21 U.S.C. § 853(n):

         a. One 2007 Maroon Nissan X-Terra, California license plate PERDDO, VIN 5N1AN08W37C514847, and b. $4, 900.00 in U.S. Currency.

         2. The aforementioned forfeited assets are to be held by the United States Marshals Service in its secure custody and control.

         3. Pursuant to Rule 32.2(b) and (c), the United States is hereby authorized to begin proceedings consistent with any statutory requirements pertaining to ancillary hearings and rights of third parties. The Court shall conduct ancillary proceedings as the Court deems appropriate only upon the receipt of timely third party petitions filed with the Court and served upon the United States. The Court may determine any petition without the need for further hearings upon the receipt of the Government’s response to any petition. The Court may enter an amended order without further notice to the parties.

         4. Pursuant to the Attorney General’s authority under Section 853(n)(1) of Title 21, United States Code, Rule 32.2(b)(6), Fed. R. Crim. P., and Rule G(4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions, the United States forthwith shall publish for thirty (30) consecutive days on the Government’s forfeiture website, www.forfeiture.gov, notice of this Order, notice of the United States’ intent to dispose of the properties in such manner as the Attorney General may direct, and notice that any person, other than the Defendant, having or claiming a legal interest in the above-listed forfeited properties must file a petition with the Court within thirty (30) days of the final publication of notice or of receipt of actual notice, whichever is earlier.

         5. This notice shall state that the petition shall be 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 ...