United States v. Zorrilla-Echevarria

LYNCH, Chief Judge.

This case involves the procedures governing criminal forfeiture, the distinction between a criminal forfeiture that constitutes an in personam money judgment and a criminal forfeiture of specific assets, and the rights of third parties in a forfeiture scenario. We affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. The case provides a cautionary tale for forfeitures in bulk cash smuggling and other cash seizure cases.

I

On October 5, 2007, Ramon Zorrilla-Echevarria boarded the Carribean Express, a ferry due to travel from Mayaguez,…