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CASE 0:22-cr-00124-NEB-DTS Doc. 904 Filed 10/03/25 Page 1 of 3
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Case No. 22-cr-124 (NEB/DTS)
Plaintiff,
FIRST MOTION FOR FIRST
v. FINAL ORDER OF FORFEITURE
2. MOHAMED JAMA ISMAIL,
Defendant.
The United States of America, through Joseph H. Thompson, Acting United
States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, and Craig R. Baune, Assistant United
States Attorney, respectfully moves this Court for a Final Order of Forfeiture for the
following property:
a. $424,695.03 seized from US Bank account No. 104786619932, held in
the name of Empire Cuisine and Market LLC;
b. $4,000,422.57 seized from JP Morgan Chase Bank account No.
761580833, held in the name of Empire Cuisine and Market LLC;
c. $5,192.25 seized from Wells Fargo account No. 5674871586, held in
the name of Mohamed Ismail;
d. $4,000,422.57 seized from JP Morgan Chase Bank account No.
761580833, held in the name of Empire Cuisine and Market LLC; and
e. $5,192.25 seized from Wells Fargo account No. 5674871586, held in
the name of Mohamed Ismail (collectively, “the Property”).
I. BACKGROUND
On September 27, 2024, this Court entered a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C) in conjunction with 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c), and 18
U.S.C. § 982(a)(1), against Defendant Mohamed Jama Ismail. ECF No. 666. The
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Order was based on the United States’ Motion for Preliminary Order of Forfeiture, the
evidence admitted at trial, the jury’s verdict regarding guilt, and the Declaration of
Lacramioara Blackwell.
Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 853(n), third parties asserting a legal interest in the
Property are entitled to a judicial determination of the validity of the legal claims or
interests they assert.
The United States published notice of the Court’s Preliminary Order of
Forfeiture on an official government internet site (www.forfeiture.gov) for at least 30
consecutive days, beginning on October 16, 2024, in accordance with Rule
G(4)(a)(iv)(C) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset
Forfeiture Actions. ECF Nos. 761, 762. The notice of forfeiture advised all unknown
interested third parties of their right to petition the court within 60 days from the first
date of publication for a hearing to adjudicate the validity of the alleged legal interest
in the Property.
The United States also served notice of the forfeiture on Defendant Ismail’s
spouse, Deqa Yusuf, who filed a petition asserting an interest in the real property
located at 13825 Edgewood Avenue, South, Savage, Minnesota. ECF No. 879.
Because a petition is pending with respect to that property, it is not included in this
motion and will instead be addressed at a later date.
No other third-party has made any claim or declared any interest in the
Property, and the time for filing a petition has expired. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C.
§ 853(n)(7), following the disposition of all third-party petitions, or following the
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expiration of the time period provided by law for filing such petitions, the United States
shall have clear title to the property that is the subject of the order of forfeiture.
Accordingly, the United States moves for a Final Order of Forfeiture vesting
full right, title and interest in the Property in the United States and declaring the
Property forfeited for disposition in accordance with law.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: 10/3/2025 JOSEPH H. THOMPSON
Acting United States Attorney
s/Craig Baune
BY: CRAIG R. BAUNE
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Attorney ID No. 331727
600 United States Courthouse
300 South Fourth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-664-5600
Craig.baune@usdoj.gov
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