UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
Filed 8/2/96
TENTH CIRCUIT
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v. No. 95-7162
(D.C. No. CR-91-6-S)
EDDIE LEE WILLIAMS, (E.D. Okla.)
Defendant-Appellee.
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ORDER AND JUDGMENT *
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Before BRORBY, EBEL and HENRY, Circuit Judges.
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After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of
this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore
ordered submitted without oral argument.
Mr. Williams, a federal inmate and a pro se litigant, was stopped in
*
This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the
doctrines of law of the case, res judicata and collateral estoppel. The court
generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order
and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
Stapleton Airport in Denver at which time drug enforcement agents seized
$10,000 cash from him. The money was administratively forfeited. Mr. Williams
was then convicted of sixteen felony drug counts. After his conviction, Mr.
Williams, as part of the criminal proceeding, asked for the return of all properties
seized. This motion was denied. Mr. Williams now appeals the denial of that
motion.
Mr. Williams raises two issues: first, “The multiple proceedings and
multiple punishments that were in violation of the double jeopardy clause,” and
second, “The DEA agent testified at the defendant’s trial about the seized
$10,000.00. All of the other seized property was confiscated using an IRS search
warrant, except for the $512.00 seized at the defendant’s arrest. All the property
was used as evidence at the trial of the defendant."
We first examine our jurisdiction to hear this appeal. The question we must
address is whether an appeal from the denial of a motion for the return of
property filed in a criminal case is governed by the civil rule, Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)
allowing sixty days to appeal, or the criminal rule, Fed. R. App. P. 4(b) allowing
ten days to appeal. In United States v. Clark, 84 F.3d 378, 381 (10th Cir. 1996),
we held "'[w]here criminal proceedings against the movant have already been
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completed, a district court should treat a rule 41(e) motion as a civil complaint.'"
(quoting Onwubiko v. United States, 969 F.2d 1392, 1397 (2d Cir. 1992)).
Although Mr. Williams failed to cite to Fed. R. Crim. P. 41(e) in his motion, this
was the proper basis under which he could move for the return of the seized
property. Because Mr. Williams is proceeding pro se we will treat his motion as
coming under 41(e) and find his motion was therefore filed in within Fed. R. App.
P. 4(a)'s sixty-day limit and we have jurisdiction over this appeal.
Turning to the merits of this appeal, we are not persuaded the trial court
erred. A fair reading of Mr. Williams’ brief shows he is arguing the
administrative forfeiture constituted double jeopardy. This argument has no
merit. See United States v. Ursery, ___ S. Ct. ____, 1996 WL 340815 (June 24
1996) and United States v. German, 76 F.3d 315 (10th Cir. 1996).
The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
Entered for the Court
WADE BRORBY
United States Circuit Judge
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