Filed: Jan. 11, 2016
Latest Update: Jan. 11, 2016
Summary: PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE TODD J. CAMPBELL , District Judge . IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 1. As the result of the Court's acceptance of Defendant's Joseph S. Nichols's guilty plea on Count One of the Indictment, for which the Government sought forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2253, Defendant Joseph S. Nichols shall forfeit to the United States his interest in the following: (1) any visual depiction described in 18 U.S.C. 2251 or 2252A of this chapter or any book, magazine, peri
Summary: PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE TODD J. CAMPBELL , District Judge . IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 1. As the result of the Court's acceptance of Defendant's Joseph S. Nichols's guilty plea on Count One of the Indictment, for which the Government sought forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2253, Defendant Joseph S. Nichols shall forfeit to the United States his interest in the following: (1) any visual depiction described in 18 U.S.C. 2251 or 2252A of this chapter or any book, magazine, perio..
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PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE
TODD J. CAMPBELL, District Judge.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. As the result of the Court's acceptance of Defendant's Joseph S. Nichols's guilty plea on Count One of the Indictment, for which the Government sought forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2253, Defendant Joseph S. Nichols shall forfeit to the United States his interest in the following:
(1) any visual depiction described in 18 U.S.C. §§ 2251 or 2252A of this chapter or any book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any such visual depiction, which was produced, transported, mailed, shipped or received in violation of the law;
(2) any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to gross profits or other proceeds obtained from the above listed offense(s); and
(3) any property, real or personal, used or intended to be used to commit or to promote the commission of such offense(s) or any property traceable to such property
including but not limited to the Dell Inspiron laptop computer and Red Lacie External Hard Drive seized from Joseph S. Nichols on or about March 31, 2011.
(All items sought for forfeiture are collectively referred to hereafter as "Subject Property").
2. The Court has determined, based on the facts set forth at the Plea hearing, sentencing hearing and the Plea Agreement entered herein between the United States and Defendant dated September 14, 2015 and the factual basis agreed to therein at paragraph 8 and related paragraphs 3 and 14-16, that the Subject Property is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2253 and that the Government has established the requisite nexus between such property and such offense.
3. Upon the entry of this Order, the Attorney General (or his designee) is authorized to seize the Subject Property and to conduct any discovery proper in identifying, locating or disposing of the property subject to forfeiture in accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2 (b)(3).
4. Upon entry of this Order, the Attorney General (or his designee) is authorized to commence any applicable proceeding to comply with statutes governing third party rights, including giving notice of this Order, in accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2.
5. Upon the issuance of the Preliminary Order of Forfeiture forfeiting the defendant's interest in the Subject Property, the United States may publish notice of the order and its intent to dispose of the property in such a manner as the Attorney General (or his designee) may direct. If the Order is published, then the United States shall also, to the extent practicable, provide written notice to any person known to have alleged an interest in the Subject Property.
6. Any person, other than the above named defendant, asserting a legal interest in the Subject Property shall, within thirty days of the final publication of notice or receipt of notice, whichever is earlier, petition the 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.
7. If the Subject Property is unable to be wiped clean, then the United States, at its discretion may destroy the Subject Property without further Order of the Court and without further publication to determine third party interests.
8. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(3), this Preliminary Order of Forfeiture shall become final as to the defendant at the time of sentencing, or before sentencing if the defendant consents, and shall be made part of the sentence and included in the judgment. If no third party files a timely claim, or if publication becomes unnecessary, then this Order shall become the Final Order of Forfeiture, as provided by Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(c)(2).
8. Any petition filed by a third party asserting an interest in the Subject Property shall be signed by the petitioner under the penalty of perjury and shall set forth the nature and extent of the petitioner's right, title, or interest in the Subject Property, the time and circumstances of the petitioner's acquisition of the right, title, or interest in the Subject Property, any additional facts supporting the petitioner's claim and the relief sought.
9. After the disposition of any third party 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.
10. 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 by 18 U.S.C. § 2253(b) which incorporates by reference the pertinent provision of 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(2) for the filing of third party petitions.
11. Either upon entry of a Final Order of Forfeiture or prior to the disposal the Subject Property or upon a determination by the agency that electronic media, including but not limited to, computers, phones, tablets, etc., are no longer necessary for trial in this matter the Subject Property shall be wiped clean of all information.
12. The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce this Order and to amend it as necessary, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(e).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
