CONSENT JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE
TROY L. NUNLEY, District Judge.
Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, the Court finds:
1. On July 31, 2019, inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS") seized approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency ("defendant currency") from Jose Ruiz ("Ruiz") during a parcel interdiction at the Processing and Distribution Center located in West Sacramento, California.
2. USPIS commenced administrative forfeiture proceedings, sending direct written notice to all known potential claimants and publishing notice to all others. On September 24, 2019, USPIS received a claim from Ruiz asserting an ownership interest in the defendant currency.
3. The United States represents that it could show at a forfeiture trial that on July 31, 2019, USPIS conducted a parcel interdiction at the Processing and Distribution Center located at 3775 Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, California. During the interdiction, law enforcement officials identified a parcel that bore markers consistent with parcels used for shipping contraband, Express Mail parcel #EE 307215962 US. The package was addressed to Jose Ruiz, 6379 County Rd 16, Spc #83, Orland, CA 95963, with the following return address: Chris Brown, 3421 Beet Rd., Tampa, FL 33610.
4. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that law enforcement received a call on July 31, 2019 from Jose Ruiz who was calling to inquire about the parcel. Ruiz told law enforcement he was expecting a parcel from an unknown sender containing an unknown amount of money from his music record company in Florida and gave law enforcement consent to open the parcel. Inside the parcel, law enforcement found a DHS mailing pouch containing a box with stacks of cash inside totaling $13,050 in U.S. Currency. Later that same day, law enforcement received a call from a male who identified himself as Chris Edmondson who stated that his friend, Eric Johnson, had mailed parcel and the money inside had been sent in payment for an "under the table" deal for remodel work performed by Ruiz on one of Mr. Edmondson's rental properties.
5. The United States represents that it could further show at a forfeiture trial that the parcel was presented to a drug detection dog, who positively alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics.
6. The United States could further show at a forfeiture trial that the defendant currency is forfeitable to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6).
7. Without admitting the truth of the factual assertions contained in this stipulation, Ruiz, specifically denying the same, and for the purpose of reaching an amicable resolution and compromise of this matter, Ruiz agrees that an adequate factual basis exists to support forfeiture of the defendant currency. Ruiz hereby acknowledges that he is the sole owner of the defendant currency, and that no other person or entity has any legitimate claim of interest therein. Should any person or entity institute any kind of claim or action against the government with regard to its forfeiture of the defendant currency, claimant shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States, as set forth below.
8. This Court has jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1345 and 1355, as this is the judicial district in which acts or omissions giving rise to the forfeiture occurred.
9. This Court has venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1395, as this is the judicial district in which the defendant currency was seized.
10. The parties herein desire to settle this matter pursuant to the terms of a duly executed Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture.
Based upon the above findings, and the files and records of the Court, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
11. The Court adopts the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture entered into by and between the parties.
12. Upon entry of the Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, $6,525.00 of the Approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency, together with any interest that may have accrued on the total amount seized, shall be forfeited to the United States pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6), to be disposed of according to law.
13. Upon entry of the Consent Judgment of Forfeiture, but no later than 60 days thereafter, $6,525.00 of the Approximately $13,050.00 in U.S. Currency shall be returned to claimant Jose Ruiz.
14. The United States of America and its servants, agents, and employees and all other public entities, their servants, agents and employees, are released from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with the seizure or forfeiture of the defendant currency. This is a full and final release applying to all unknown and unanticipated injuries, and/or damages arising out of said seizure or forfeiture, as well as to those now known or disclosed. Ruiz waived the provisions of California Civil Code § 1542.
15. No portion of the stipulated settlement, including statements or admissions made therein, shall be admissible in any criminal action pursuant to Rules 408 and 410(a)(4) of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
16. All parties will bear their own costs and attorney's fees.
17. Pursuant to the Stipulation for Consent Judgment of Forfeiture filed herein, the Court enters a Certificate of Reasonable Cause pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2465, that there was reasonable cause for the seizure of the above-described defendant currency.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
