Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States of America v. Edward Sheldon Whitaker (Dkt. 89, No. 5:22-CR-00257-1D, E.D.N.C.)
- Issuer
- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
- Document type
- Motion
- Date
- 2025-12-03
Summary
A Preliminary Order of Forfeiture in United States v. Edward Sheldon Whitaker, Case 5:22-cr-00257-D, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, filed December 3, 2025 as Document 89. The order recites that the defendant pleaded guilty to the sole count of a Criminal Information charging a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). It enters a forfeiture money judgment of $3,872,548.24, for which the defendant is jointly and severally liable with co-defendant Schunda Coleman. It also forfeits a Texas real property, funds in accounts at several banks and credit unions, and seized money orders, and lists substitute assets including $123,921.87 in sale proceeds. The order sets out procedures for seizure, notice and third-party petitions within 30 days, and is signed by a United States District Judge.
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Cite this document
“Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States of America v. Edward Sheldon Whitaker (Dkt. 89, No. 5:22-CR-00257-1D).”
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, dated 2025-12-03. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-12-03-us-v-whitaker-coleman-nc/
, SHA-256 67e63f7e9b710f2f39fb6b994520454bc025a3d5ea57fab4b537175d5e408677.Full text
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
WESTERN DIVISION
NO. 5:22-CR-00257-lD
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
V. PRELIMINARY ORDER
OF FORFEITURE
EDWARD SHELDON WHITAKER
WHEREAS, the above-named defendant has pleaded guilty pursuant to a
written memorandum of plea agreement to the sole count of the Criminal
Information, charging the defendant with offenses in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h);
AND WHEREAS, the government has filed a motion for entry of a Preliminary
Order of Forfeiture, showing unto the Court: that the defendant is personally
responsible for laundering at least $3,872,548.24 in criminally derived proceeds, and
that he/she made the proceeds unavailable as a result of her acts or omissions and
one or more of the conditions to forfeit substitute assets exists, as set forth in 21
U.S.C. § 853(p); that each item of property constitutes, or is derived from, proceeds
obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offense(s) to which he pled guilty,
and/or was used or intended to be used to commit or facilitate the commission of the
offense(s) to which he pleaded guilty, and is thereby subject to forfeiture pursuant to
21 U.S .C. § 853(a); and that the defendant individually, or in combination with one
or more co-defendants, has or had an ownership, beneficial, possessory, or other legal
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 1 of 11
interest in and/or exercised dominion and control over each item of property that is
subject to forfeiture herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the defendant's guilty plea, the stipulations
contained in the Memorandum of Plea Agreement, the points and authorities in the
government's motion, and all of the evidence of record in this case, the Court FINDS
as fact and CONCLUDES as a matter of law that there is a nexus between each item
of property listed below and the offense(s) to which the defendant has pleaded guilty,
and that the defendant (or any combination of defendants in this case) has or had an
interest in the property to be forfeited,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that:
1. The following property is forfeited to the United States pursuant to Fed.
R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(l):
Forfeiture Money Judgment:
a) A sum of money in the amount of $3,872,548.24, representing the
value of the property involved in the money laundering offense(s) for
which he/she has been convicted; and an amount for which the
defendant shall be jointly and severally liable together with co-
defendant SCHUNDA COLEMAN, and in satisfaction of which the
United States may forfeit substitute assets pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §
853(p)
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 2 of 11
Real Property:
b) Real property having the physical address of 3400 Monserat Drive,
Edinburg, TX 78539-34 72, including any and all appurtenances and
improvements thereto, being titled to SCHUNDA COLEMAN and
legally described in Official Document No. 2929047 recorded on July
2, 2018 with the County Clerk of Hidalgo County, Texas, and any
and all proceeds from the sale of said property. Being more
particularly described as follows:
Lot 8, Spanish Oaks Subdivision, an addition to the City of Edinburg,
Hidalgo County, Texas, as per Map or Plat thereof recorded in
Volume 43, Page 38, Map Records, Hidalgo County, Texas. APN:
S5304-00-000-0008-00
Personal Property:
c) Any and all funds m SOFI Bank accounts held in the name of
EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA COLEMAN, including
but not limited to Account Nos. XX1663 , XX4068, XX6094, XX8540,
and XX9674
d) Any and all funds in Seed Invest accounts held in the name of
EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA COLEMAN, including
but not limited to Account Nos. XXX2891 and XXX5096
e) Any and all funds in Texas Regional Bank accounts held in the name
of MPLOYPATH LLC, EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA
COLEMAN, including but not limited to Account No. XXX9944
f) Any and all funds in International Bank of Commerce accounts held
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 3 of 11
m the names of TAKYL LOGISTICS LLC, S&E GROUP LLC,
EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SHUNDA COLEMAN, including but
not limited to Account Nos. XXXXXX:1350, XXXXXX2341 and
X:XXXX4813
g) Any and all funds in Navy Federal Credit Union accounts held in the
name of S&E GROUP LLC, EDWARD WHITAKER and/or
SCHUNDA COLEMAN, including but not limited to Account Nos.
XXXXXX1421, XXXXXX1454, XXXXXX1946, XXXXXX:4722,
XXXXXX:8047, XXXXXX8795 and :XXXXXX9024
h) Any and all funds in Wells Fargo accounts held in the name ofVORK
LLC, S&E GROUP LLC, EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA
COLEMAN, including but not limited to Account Nos. XXXXXX:0906,
XXXXXX:4271 , XXXXXX:4769 and :XXXXXX9807, but not including
up to $15,000 on deposit in Account No. XXXXXX:4727 and up to
$10,000 on deposit in Account No. XXXXXX5565
i) Any and all funds in Truliant Federal Credit Union accounts held in
the name of EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA COLEMAN,
including but not limited to Account No. XXXXXXX:4190,
XXXXXXXX4223 and XXXXXX:7 496
j) Any and all funds in Founders Federal Credit Union accounts held
in the name of EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA
COLEMAN, including but not limited to Account No. XX1062
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k) Any and all funds in JP Morgan Chase Bank accounts held in the
name of VORK LLC, EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA
COLEMAN, including but not limited to Account Nos. XXXXXX.0096,
XXXXX2058, XXXXXX5056 and XXXXXX7287
1) Any and all money orders seized from 3400 Monserat Drive,
Edinburg, TX 78539-34 72, on or about April 6, 2022, including but
not limited to the following:
1. Serial number 27139846577 in the amount of $885.00
11. Serial number 26954701560 in the amount of $898.33
111. Serial number 27139846050 in the amount of $500.00
1v. Serial number 27139846926 in the amount of $1,000.00
v. Serial number 27139846904 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
v1. Serial number 27139846915 in the amount of $1,000.00
v11. Serial number 27139846882 in the amount of $1,000.00
v111. Serial number 27139846893 in the amount of $1,000.00
1x. Serial number 26892764493 in the amount of $1,000.00
x. Serial number 27139846871 in the amount of $1,000.00
x1. Serial number 26892764471 in the amount of $1,000.00
x11. Serial number 26892764482 in the amount of $1,000.00
xm. Serial number 27139846770 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xiv. Serial number 27139846781 in the amount of $1,000.00
xv. Serial number 27139846757 in the amount of $1,000.00
xvi. Serial number 27139846769 in the amount of $1,000.00
xv11. Serial number 27139846735 in the amount of $1,000.00
xvm. Serial number 27139846746 in the amount of $1,000.00
xix. Serial number 27139846713 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xx. Serial number 27139846724 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xx1. Serial number 27139846691 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xx11. Serial number 27139846702 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xxm. Serial number 27139846004 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xx1v. Serial number 27139846680 in the amount of $1,000.00
xxv. Serial number 27139846037 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
xxv1. Serial number 26954701997 in the amount of $1 ,000.00
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m) Any and all cashier's checks, funds, or other things of value derived
from or traceable to the proceeds of specified unlawful activity in the
possession, custody or control of EDWARD WHITAKER and/or
SCHUNDA COLEMAN.
General Forfeiture Order:
n) Any other property, not identified above, that was involved in or
traceable to the offense of conviction in Count One.
2. The following additional property of the defendant is forfeited to the
United States pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(2) and 21 U.S.C. § 853(p), as
substitute assets to satisfy the forfeiture money judgment referenced above in whole
or in part, not to exceed the value of $3,872,548.24:
Substitute Personal Property:
a) $123,921.87 in funds currently in custody of the U.S. Department of
Treasury which represent the sale proceeds of 6921 Red Bud Circle,
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28214.
b) Any and all funds in Robinhood accounts held in the name of
EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA COLEMAN, including
but not limited to Account No. XXXXX8366
c) Any and all funds and/or cryptocurrency in Crypto.com accounts held
in the name of EDWARD WHITAKER and/or SCHUNDA
COLEMAN.
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 6 of 11
3. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(3), the U.S. Attorney General,
Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security, or a designee is
authorized to seize, inventory, and otherwise maintain custody and control of the
property, whether held by the defendant or by a third-party. Any person who
knowingly destroys, damages, wastes, disposes of, transfers, or otherwise
takes any action with respect to the property, or attempts to do so, for the
purpose of preventing or impairing the Government's lawful authority to
take such property into its custody or control or to continue holding such
property under its lawful custody and control, may be subject to criminal
prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2232(a).
4. This Order shall also serve as a Writ of Entry and Inspection,
authorizing the government or other personnel assisting the government to enter
onto and into the premises of the above-described real property as necessary for
purposes of conducting inspections, appraisals, and photographing or video-recording
the property, to record and document the condition, value, and maintenance of the
property until the forfeiture proceedings are concluded. Any occupants of the real
property shall be served with a copy of this Order of Forfeiture and provided with
notice of the forfeiture. This Order specifically places any occupants on notice
that they shall maintain the premises in its present condition as long as
their occupancy continues and shall not materially alter, cause any damage
to, or remove any fixtures from the real property. Any violation of this
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 7 of 11
Order could result in criminal and/or civil sanctions pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§ 2232(a) and/or this Court's contempt powers.
5. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(3) and 32.2(c)(l)(B), the United
States is authorized to conduct any discovery pursuant to the applicable Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure needed to identify, locate, or dispose of the above-referenced
property, or other substitute assets, including depositions, interrogatories, requests
for production of documents and for admission, and the issuance of subpoenas.
6. To the extent this Order constitutes a personal forfeiture money
judgment against the defendant, the United States is not required to send or publish
notice of the same, as there is no specific property to be forfeited. However, this Order
may be recorded in the records of the Clerk of Court in any county in which the
defendant resides or has either real or personal property as a lien thereon. Pursuant
to Rule 32.2(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the United States may
move to amend this Order at any time to forfeit other property in which the defendant
has an interest, whether directly forfeitable or substitute assets, to satisfy this
forfeiture money judgment in whole or in part; provided that the net proceeds of any
subsequently forfeited assets, including the specified real and/or personal property
listed in paragraph(s) l(b)-(m) and 2(a)-(c), shall be credited toward satisfaction of
the judgment upon liquidation.
7. If and to the extent required by Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(6), 21 U .S.C.
§ 853(n), and/or other applicable law, the United States shall provide notice of this
Order and of its intent to dispose of the specified real and/or personal property listed
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above, by publishing and sending notice in the same manner as in civil forfeiture
cases, as provided in Rule G( 4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime
Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions. The United States shall then file a Notice with
the Court documenting for the record: (1) proof of publication, or the government's
reliance on an exception to the publication requirement found in Supplemental Rule
G(4)(a)(i); and (2) the government's efforts to send direct notice to all known potential
third-party claimants in accordance with Supplemental Rule G(4)(b)(iii), or a
representation that no other potential claimants are known to the government. This
Order shall not take effect as the Court's Final Order of Forfeiture until an
appropriate Notice has been filed and the time in which any third parties with notice
of the forfeiture are permitted by law to file a petition has expired.
8. Any person other than the above-named defendant, having or
claiming any legal interest in the subject property must, within 30 days of
the final publication of notice or of receipt of actual notice, whichever is
earlier, petition the Court to adjudicate the validity of the asserted interest
pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(c)(l) and 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(2). The petition
must 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 property; any additional facts supporting
the petitioner's claim; and the relief sought. The petition may be hand-
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 9 of 11
delivered to the Clerk at any federal courthouse within the Eastern District
of North Carolina or mailed to the following address:
U.S. District Court Clerk
Eastern District of North Carolina
P.O. Box 25670
Raleigh, NC 276 11
9. If one or more timely petitions are received by the Court, the Court will
enter a separate scheduling order governing the conduct of any forfeiture ancillary
proceedings under Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(c). Following the Court's disposition of all
timely filed petitions, a Final Order of Forfeiture that amends this Order as necessary
to account for any third-party rights shall be entered pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P.
32.2(c)(2) and 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(6). The receipt of a petition as to one or more specific
items of property shall not delay this Order of Forfeiture from becoming final, in
accordance with the following paragraph, as to any remaining property to which no
petition h as been filed.
10. If no third party files a timely petition, or if this Court denies and/or
dismisses all third party petitions timely filed, this Order shall become the Final
Order of Forfeiture, as provided by Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(c)(2), and the United States
shall dispose of the property according to law, including without limitation
liquidation by sale or any other commercially feasible means, destruction, and/or
retention or transfer of an asset for official use. The United States shall have clear
title to the property and may warrant good title to any subsequent purchaser or
transferee pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(7).
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Case 5:22-cr-00257-D Document 89 Filed 12/03/25 Page 10 of 11
11. Upon sentencing and issuance of the Judgment and Commitment Order,
the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to incorporate a reference to this Order of Forfeiture
in the applicable section of the Judgment, as required by Fed. R. Crim. P.
32.2(b)(4)(B). In accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(b)(4)(A), this Order shall
become final as to the defendant at sentencing.
12. The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce this Order, and to amend
it as necessary, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.2(e), when additional specific or
substitute property is identified.
SO ORDERED, this the __L_ day of b.RceMh...v-:- , 2025.
JAM S C. DEVER III
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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