United States v. 136,800.00 in U.S. Currency
Opinion
trial_court Opinion
I. INTRODUCTION
On July 9, 2019, the United States of America (“the government’) initiated this civil forfeiture action by filing a verified complaint against defendant $136,800 in U.S. currency (“defendant currency”) pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6). Dkt. 1 (‘Compl.”). □ The government alleges that the defendant currency is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) because it represents, or 1s traceable to, proceeds of illegal narcotics trafficking, or, in the alternative, was used or intended to be used in one or more exchanges for a controlled substance or listed chemical, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 et seg. Id. § 23. On December 12, 2019, the Clerk of Court entered default against potential claimants Dewayne Sherrille Douglas (“Douglas”), Donald Langram Sr. (“Langram”), and all other potential claimants to the defendant currency. Dkt. 16. The government filed the instant motion for default judgment on December 20, 2019. Dkt. 17 (“Mot.”). The Court held a hearing on February 24, 2020. Having carefully considered the government’s arguments, the Court finds and concludes as follows.