DECREE OF FORFEITURE

MYRON H. THOMPSON, District Judge.

Before the court is the government's renewed motion for decree of forfeiture.

On June 27, 2018, the government filed a complaint of forfeiture (doc. no. 1) alleging that the defendant is subject to forfeiture, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), which provides for the seizure and forfeiture of all moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a controlled substance or listed chemical in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) and all proceeds traceable to such an exchange, and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a).

Process was fully issued in this action and returned according to law.

Pursuant to a warrant for arrest in rem issued by this court on July 2, 2018 (doc. no. 4), the United States Marshals Service for this district served the defendant on July 16, 2018.

On July 20, 2018, Attorney Karen Benefield was personally served by a deputy United States Marshal with copies of the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem, Notice of Complaint for Forfeiture against Personal Property, and Warrant of Arrest In Rem.

On August 6, 2018, Cameron McElroy ("McElroy") was personally served by a deputy United States Marshal with copies of the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem, Notice of Complaint for Forfeiture against Personal Property, and Warrant of Arrest In Rem.*

Notice of this civil forfeiture action against the defendant was published for 30 consecutive days on an official government internet site (www.forfeiture.gov), as evidenced by the declaration of publication filed with this court on August 8, 2018 (doc. no. 8).

On September 20, 2018, default was entered against Cameron McElroy and all other persons and entities having an interest in the defendant for failure to answer or otherwise defend as provided for in the manner set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 983(a)(4)(A) and Supplemental Rule G(5) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions (doc. no. 10).

On March 19, 2019, Geraldine Hillmon (Walter Hillmon's mother), on behalf of Walter Hillmon, was personally served by a deputy United States Marshal with copies of the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem, Notice of Complaint for Forfeiture against Personal Property, and Warrant of Arrest In Rem (doc. no. 21).

On April 26, 2019, default was entered (doc. no. 23) against Walter Hillmon for failure to answer or otherwise defend as provided for in the manner set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 983(a)(4)(A) and Supplemental Rule G(5) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions.

No other claim or answer has been filed on behalf of any other party.

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Accordingly, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that:

(1) The government's renewed motion for decree of forfeiture (doc. no. 24) is granted.

(2) The defendant, $4,460.50 in United States currency seized on January 30, 2018 from Walter Lee Hillmon, is hereby forfeited to the United States, to be disposed of according to law, and no right, title, or interest in the defendant shall exist in any other party.