Collette v. Drug Enforcement Administration

386 F. Supp. 2d 1120, 2005 WL 2219450
CourtDistrict Court, D. Alaska
DecidedSeptember 13, 2005
DocketA00-0254CVRRB
StatusPublished

This text of 386 F. Supp. 2d 1120 (Collette v. Drug Enforcement Administration) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Alaska primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Collette v. Drug Enforcement Administration, 386 F. Supp. 2d 1120, 2005 WL 2219450 (D. Alaska 2005).

Opinion

*1122 ORDER REGARDING FORFEITURES

BEISTLINE, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Before the Court is John Collette (“Col-lette”) who claims that because he did not receive notice for 21 items administratively forfeited by the Government, those items should be returned to him. The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), United States Marshal’s Service, and the United States of America oppose and argue that the notices sent to Collette were adequate under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution.

The Court held an evidentiary hearing from May 10-19, 2004, on the issue of whether Collette was properly notified of 21 separate administrative asset forfeiture proceedings. 1 Both parties presented witnesses and exhibits during the hearing. Based on the exhibits and testimony received, the Court, having considered the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses, hereby enters the following findings of fact and conclusions of law.

II. FINDINGS OF FACT

1. 1966 Helio Courier Aircraft

On November 20, 1992, the DEA 2 sent a Notice of Seizure form letter (“Forfeiture Notice”) pertaining to the 1966 Helio Aircraft, via certified mail, addressed to “Col-lette, John L inmate # 273909F, c/o Cook Inlet PF, 1300 W 4th, Anchorage AK 99507.” (GE 3 A-5; TR 4 3-42; TR 3-77 through 3-79).

The DEA received nothing in return or by way of response to the Forfeiture Notice. (TR 3-78).

On November 20, 1992, the DEA sent a Forfeiture Notice pertaining to the 1966 Helio Aircraft, via certified mail, addressed to “Collette, John L, Happy Creek Greenhouse SR20087A, Fairbanks, AK 99701.” (GE A-7; TR 3-78 through 3-79).

The Forfeiture Notice was not delivered and it returned to the DEA marked “Returned to Sender, Insufficient Address, Fairbanks, AK 99701.” (GE A-6; TR 3-79 through 3-80).

On January 22, 1993, the DEA sent a Forfeiture Notice pertaining to a different asset, via certified mail, addressed to “John Collette, c/o Dattan D. Scott, Esq, 1400 W. Benson Blvd, Ste 110, Anchorage, AK 99503.” (GE K-6; TR 6-117 through 6-118).

Scott Dattan’s law office refused to accept delivery of the Forfeiture Notice. (GE K-7; TR 6-117 through 6-118).

On January 27, 1993, DEA attorney John Cummings spoke with Dattan, who identified himself as Collette’s court-appointed criminal defense attorney. Dattan advised Cummings that he did not want any more Forfeiture Notices addressed to Collette sent to his office. Dattan advised Cummings that Collette’s address was, “2960 Ester Dome Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709.” (GE LL; TR 3-13 through 3-17).

*1123 Cummings then instructed the DEA staff to send “20 day letters” to Collette at the 2960 Ester Dome Road address. A “20 day letter” is a Forfeiture Notice which the DEA sends after obtaining information that the addresses the DEA sent initial Forfeiture Notices to were somehow defective or inadequate. (GE LL; TR 3-17 through 3-18).

On February 3, 1993, the DEA sent a 20 day letter pertaining to the 1966 Helio Courier Aircraft, via certified mail, addressed to, “John Collette, 2960 Ester Dome Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709.” (GE A-4, TR 3-73 through 3-79).

On March 1, 1993, the 20 day letter was delivered and signed by someone with the name “Karen Brown.” The Return Receipt Card (“Green Card”) was returned to the DEA. (GE A-l; TR 6-5 through 6-10).

The statutorily-required publication of DEA forfeiture proceedings involving the 1966 Helio Courier Aircraft occurred in USA Today on December 2, 9, and 16, 1992. (GEA-3).

The DEA issued its Aircraft Forfeiture Declaration for the 1966 Helio Courier Aircraft on November 5, 1993. (GE A-2; TR 3-71).

2. 1988 Polaris Snowmobile

On January 11, 1993, the DEA sent a Forfeiture Notice pertaining to the 1988 Polaris Snowmobile, via certified mail, addressed to, “Collette, John, 3221 Ester Dome Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701.” (GE B-8; TR 6-87).

The Forfeiture Notice was not delivered and it returned to the DEA, marked “Returned to Sender, No Mail Receptacle.” (GE B-7; TR 6-87 through 6-88).

On January 11, 1993, the DEA sent a Forfeiture Notice pertaining to the 1988 Polaris Snowmobile, via certified mail, addressed to, “Collette, John L inmate # 273909F, c/o Cook Inlet PF, 1300 W 4th, Anchorage AK 99507.” (GE B-6; TR 6-87).

The Forfeiture Notice was not delivered and it returned to the DEA, marked “Returned to Sender, Unknown.” (GE B — 5; TR 3-105 through 3-107).

On February 23, 1993, the DEA sent a 20 day letter pertaining to the 1988 Polaris Snowmobile, via certified mail, addressed to “Collette, John, 2960 Ester Dome Rd, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709.” (GE B-3; TR 3-102 through 3-104).

The 20 day letter was not delivered and it returned to the DEA, apparently marked “unclaimed.” (GE B-2; TR 3-102 through 3-104).

The statutorily-required publication of DEA forfeiture proceedings involving the 1988 Polaris Snowmobile occurred in USA Today on January 20 and 27 and February 3,1993. (GEB-M).

The DEA issued its Declaration of Forfeiture for the 1988 Polaris Snowmobile on April 19,1993 (GE B-l).

3. Marijuana Grow Equipment

On November 20, 1992, the DEA sent a Forfeiture Notice pertaining to the Marijuana Grow Equipment, via certified mail, addressed to, “Collette, John L inmate # 273909F, c/o Cook Inlet PF, 1300 W 4th, Anchorage AK 99507.” (GE C — 1; TR 3-116 through 3-117).

On November 30, 1992, the Forfeiture Notice was delivered to the jail and signed for by Sergeant Rodgers. The Green Card signed by Sergeant Rodgers was returned to the DEA. (GE C-3; TR 3-116 through 3-117; TR 3-188 through 3-198).

On January 13, 1993, the DEA sent a 20 day letter pertaining to the Marijuana Grow Equipment, via certified mail, addressed to, “John Collette, Star Route 20087A, Fairbanks, AK 99701.” (GE C-4; TR 3-117 through 3-118).

*1124 The 20 day letter was not delivered and it returned to the DEA, marked “Returned to Sender, Fairbanks AK 99701, Star Route Numbers Are No Longer Valid.” (GE C-5; TR 3-117 through 3-118).

On February 23, 1993, the DEA sent a 20 day letter pertaining to the Marijuana Grow Equipment, via certified mail, addressed to, “Collette, 2960 Ester Dome Rd, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709.” (GE C — 6; TR 3-118 through 3-119; TR 6-93).

On March 17,1993, the 20 day letter was returned to the DEA, marked “Unclaimed,” after the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) made successive attempts to deliver it on March 1, 6, and 16, 1993. (GE C-7; TR 3-118).

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