USA v. MUCKLE et al

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATHENS DIVISION
:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 	:
:
v. 	: 	CASE NO. 3:25-CR-20 (TES)
:
BERNARD WALKER 	:
:
:
Defendant 	:
:
PRELIMINARY ORDER OF FORFEITURE
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2026, Defendant Bernard Walker (hereinafter “Walker”
or “Defendant”), pled guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment charging him
with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21, United
States Code, Section 846, in connection with Title 21, United States Code, Sections
841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi), (b)(1)(A)(ii), and (b)(1)(B)(iii);
AND WHEREAS, the Superseding Indictment contained a generic Forfeiture
Notice, pursuant to which the United States seeks forfeiture under Title 21, United States
Code, Section 853, of specific property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds
obtained, directly and indirectly, as a result of such offense(s), and any property, real or
personal, used, or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit, or to facilitate
the commission of, the offense(s);
AND WHEREAS, the Court has determined, based on the evidence already in the
record, that (1) Defendant has an ownership interest in the following subject property; (2)
Case 3:25-cr-00020-TES-CHW Document 211 Filed 08/20/26 Page 1 of 4

2
that the following property is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853; and (3) that
the United States has established the requisite nexus between the aforesaid offense(s) and
the following property, to wit: two thousand, nine hundred sixty-two dollars ($2,962.00)
in United States currency (hereinafter referred to as the “subject property”).
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED
THAT:
1. 	Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853, 18 U.S.C. § 3554, and Rule 32.2(b), Federal Rules
of Criminal Procedure, the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the
United States has demonstrated the required nexus between the subject property and the
offense(s) of conviction and the subject property is hereby forfeited to the United States.
2. 	Upon the entry of this Order, in accordance with FED. R. C RIM. P. 32.2(b)(3),
the Attorney General (or a designee) is authorized to seize the subject property, and to
conduct any discovery that may assist in identifying, locating or disposing of the subject
property, and to commence any applicable proceeding to comply with statutes governing
third-party rights, including giving notice of this Order.
3. 	The United States shall publish notice of the Order and its intent to dispose
of the subject property in such a manner as the United States Attorney General (or his
designee) may direct. 	The United States may also, to the extent practicable, provide
written notice to any person known to have an alleged interest in the subject property.
Case 3:25-cr-00020-TES-CHW Document 211 Filed 08/20/26 Page 2 of 4

3
4. 	Any person, other than the above-named Defendant, asserting a legal
interest in the subject property must, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, or no
later than sixty (60) days from the first day of publication on the official internet
government forfeiture site, www.forfeiture.gov, 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, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. ' 853(n).
5. 	Pursuant to F ED. R. C RIM. P. 32.2(b)(4), this Preliminary Order of Forfeiture
shall become final as to the Defendant at the time of sentencing and shall be made part of
the sentence and included in the judgment. 	If no third-party files a timely claim, this
Order shall become the Final Order of Forfeiture, as provided by FED. R. C RIM. P.
32.2(c)(2).
6. 	Any petition filed by a third-party asserting an interest in the subject
property shall be signed by the petitioner under 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.
7. 	After the disposition of any motion filed under F ED. R. C RIM. 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.
Case 3:25-cr-00020-TES-CHW Document 211 Filed 08/20/26 Page 3 of 4

4
8. 	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 in 21 U.S.C. ' 853(n), for the filing of third-party petitions.
9. 	The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce this Order, and to amend it as
necessary, pursuant to FED. R. C RIM. P. 32.2(e).
SO ORDERED, this ______ day of ______________, 2026.
TILMAN E. SELF, III., JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
PREPARED BY:
WILLIAM R. KEYES
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
/s/ Julius J. Jefferson
JULIUS J. JEFFERSON
Texas Bar Number 24087797
Assistant United States Attorney
20th August
s/Tilman E. Self, III
Case 3:25-cr-00020-TES-CHW Document 211 Filed 08/20/26 Page 4 of 4