USA v. Bartels et al

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
vs.
STEPHANIE MARIE BARTELS,
Defendant.
4:24CR3085
PRELIMINARY ORDER OF
FORFEITURE
This matter is before the Court upon Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture
(Filing No. 104). The Court has carefully reviewed the record in this case and finds as follows:
1. On October 22, 2024, a federal grand jury in this District returned a two-count
Indictment against Defendant (Filing No. 1).
2. The Forfeiture Allegation of the Indictment sought the forfeiture of $19,739.00 in
United States currency seized on or about June 27, 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.”
3. On October 22, 2025, the Court held a change of plea hearing for Defendant and
Defendant entered a plea of guilty to Counts I and II of the Indictment. (Filing No. 94). In her
signed Petition to Enter a Plea of Guilty, specifically Question No. 17, Defendant indicated that
she would be forfeiting property to the United States as a result of her plea (Filing No. 95).
4. Count I of the Indictment charged Defendant with a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§
841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1).
5. Count II of the Indictment charged Defendant with a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§
841(a)(1), 841(b)(1) and 851.
6. Defendant has forfeited her interest in the subject currency. Accordingly, the United
States should be entitled to possession of said currency pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853.
7. The Government’s Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture should be granted.
IT IS ORDERED:
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1. The Government’s Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture (Filing No. 104) is
granted.
2. Based upon the Forfeiture Allegation of the Indictment and the plea of guilty, the
Government is hereby authorized to seize the $19,739.00 in United States currency.
3. Defendant’s interest in the $19,739.00 in United States currency 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 $19,739.00 in United States currency 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,
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 subject 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 United
States currency, 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 United
States currency 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 $19,739.00 in United States currency
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 2nd day of December, 2025.
BY THE COURT:
___________________________
Susan M. Bazis
United States District Judge
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