United States v. Sneed

          James Elmer Sneed IV, Defendant.

          Morse U. Gist, Jr., Counsel for Defendant.

          Graham E. S. Jones, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

          PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE

          Honorable Susan O. Hickey, United States District Judge.

         On September 12, 2018, a Grand Jury sitting in the Western District of Arkansas returned an Indictment against the Defendant, James Elmer Sneed IV, charging him with one count of having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a firearm, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), and a forfeiture allegation.

         In the forfeiture allegation of the Indictment, the United States seeks forfeiture, pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(d), Title 18 U.S.C. § 3665, of

1. A Ruger LCP .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol bearing serial number 372002383,

2. Any ammunition as property involved in, or used to facilitate the offense.

         On April 4, 2019, the Defendant pleaded guilty to the Indictment. Pursuant to a Plea Agreement entered into by the parties, the Defendant agrees to forfeit all rights, title and interest to A Ruger LCP .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol bearing serial number 372002383 listed in the Indictment. The Defendant acknowledges that all property covered by the Plea Agreement is subject to forfeiture as property facilitating illegal conduct, or property involved in illegal conduct giving rise to forfeiture, or as substitute assets for property otherwise subject to forfeiture.

         Pursuant to the Plea Agreement, the Defendant consents to the immediate entry of a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture upon entry of the guilty plea. The Defendant further agrees that upon entry of the Preliminary Order of Forfeiture, such Order will be considered final as to defendant's interests in the property(ies). The Defendant agrees to immediately withdraw any claims to property(ies) seized in connection with this case in any pending administrative and civil forfeiture proceeding, and consents to the forfeiture of all properties seized in connection with this case to the United States. The Defendant agrees to execute any and all documents requested by the Government to facilitate or complete the forfeiture processes.) The Defendant further agrees not to contest or to assist any other person or entity in contesting the forfeiture of the property(ies) seized in connection with this case.

         Pursuant to the Plea Agreement, the Defendant agrees to consent to the entry of Orders of forfeiture for such property and waives the requirements of Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 32.2 and 43(a) regarding notice of the forfeiture in the charging instrument, announcement of the forfeiture at sentencing, and incorporation of the forfeiture in the judgment. The Defendant acknowledges that he understands that the forfeiture of assets is part of the sentence that may be imposed in this case and waives any failure by the court to advise him of this, pursuant to Rule 1 l(b)(1)(J), at the time his guilty plea is accepted.

         Pursuant to the Plea Agreement, the Defendant further agrees to waive all constitutional and statutory challenges in any manner (including direct appeal, habeas corpus, or any other means) to any forfeiture carried out in accordance with the Plea Agreement on any grounds, including that the forfeiture constitutes an excessive fine or punishment. The Defendant agrees to take all steps as requested by the United States to pass clear title to forfeitable assets to the United States, and to testify truthfully in any judicial forfeiture proceeding. The Defendant also agrees that the forfeiture provisions of the Plea Agreement are intended to, and will, survive him, notwithstanding the abatement of any underlying criminal conviction after the execution of this agreement.

         Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED, DECREED AND ADJUDGED:

         1. That based upon the guilty plea of the Defendant, the following assets shall ...