USA v. Hancock

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
DAKOTA HANCOCK,
Defendant.
4:25CR3003
PRELIMINARY ORDER OF
FORFEITURE
This matter is before the Court upon the Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Order of
Forfeiture. (Filing No. 46). The Court has carefully reviewed the record in this case and finds as
follows:
1. On January 21, 2025, a federal grand jury in this District returned a one-count
Indictment against the Defendant. (Filing No. 1.)
2. The Forfeiture Allegation of the Indictment sought the forfeiture of an American
Tactical GSG-522 rifle; Glock 48 handgun; Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver; Taurus Tracker revolver;
Glock 19 handgun; Taurus Judge handgun, .38 special ammunition (229 rounds), .22 long rifle
ammunition (458 rounds), 9mm ammunition (256 rounds), and .357 magnum ammunition (116
rounds), seized on or about July 18, 2024 as “property constituting, or derived from, proceeds
obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of such offense and/or property used, or intended to be
used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the offense.” (Filing No. 1.)
3. On November 19, 2025, the Court held a change of plea hearing for Defendant and
Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Count I and admitted to the Forfeiture Allegation in the
Indictment. (Filing No. 39; Filing No. 42.)
4. Count I of the Indictment charged Defendant with a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§
922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
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5. Defendant has forfeited his interest in the property. Accordingly, the United States
should be entitled to possession of said property pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(d) and 28 U.S.C. §
2461(c).
6. The Government’s Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture should be granted.
IT IS ORDERED:
1. The Government’s Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture (Filing No. 46) is
granted.
2. Based upon the Forfeiture Allegation of the Indictment, the Plea Agreement, the
plea of guilty, and the admission to the forfeiture allegation, the Government is
hereby authorized to seize the American Tactical GSG-522 rifle; Glock 48
handgun; Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver; Taurus Tracker revolver; Glock 19 handgun;
Taurus Judge handgun, .38 special ammunition (229 rounds), .22 long rifle
ammunition (458 rounds), 9mm ammunition (256 rounds), and .357 magnum
ammunition (116 rounds).
3. Defendant’s interest in the American Tactical GSG-522 rifle; Glock 48 handgun;
Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver; Taurus Tracker revolver; Glock 19 handgun; Taurus
Judge handgun, .38 special ammunition (229 rounds), .22 long rifle ammunition
(458 rounds), 9mm ammunition (256 rounds), and .357 magnum ammunition (116
rounds) is hereby forfeited to the Government for disposition in accordance with
the law, subject to the provisions of 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(1).
4. The American Tactical GSG-522 rifle; Glock 48 handgun; Taurus Ultra-Lite
revolver; Taurus Tracker revolver; Glock 19 handgun; Taurus Judge handgun, .38
special ammunition (229 rounds), .22 long rifle ammunition (458 rounds), 9mm
ammunition (256 rounds), and .357 magnum ammunition (116 rounds) is to be held
by the Government in its secure custody and control.
5. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(1), the Government shall publish for at least thirty
consecutive days on an official internet government forfeiture site,
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www.forfeiture.gov., notice of this Preliminary Order of Forfeiture, notice of
publication evidencing the government’s intent to dispose of the property in such
manner as the Attorney General may direct, and notice that any person, other than
the defendant, having or claiming a legal interest in any of the property must file a
Petition with the Court within thirty days of the final publication of notice or of
receipt of actual notice, whichever is earlier.
6. The published notice shall state the Petition referred to in Paragraph 5, above, shall
be for a hearing to adjudicate the validity of the Petitioner’s interest in the 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 property and any
additional facts supporting the Petitioner’s claim and the relief sought.
7. The Government may also, to the extent practicable, provide direct written notice
to any person known to have an interest in the American Tactical GSG-522 rifle;
Glock 48 handgun; Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver; Taurus Tracker revolver; Glock 19
handgun; Taurus Judge handgun, .38 special ammunition (229 rounds), .22 long
rifle ammunition (458 rounds), 9mm ammunition (256 rounds), and .357 magnum
ammunition (116 rounds), as a substitute for published notice as to those persons
so notified.
8. Upon adjudication of all third-party interests, this Court will enter a Final Order of
Forfeiture pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n), in which all interests will be addressed.
Dated this 9th day of January, 2026.
BY THE COURT:
_______________________________
Susan M. Bazis
United States District Judge
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