State v. $33,000.00 United States Currency

KAPSNER, Justice.

[¶ 1] Lam Bao Tran, as the owner of $33,000 United States currency, appeals a district court order denying his motion to vacate a default judgment that forfeited $33,000. We affirm.

I

[¶ 2] In July 2007, law enforcement officers searched Tran’s residence and seized various controlled substances and $33,000 in cash. The State brought an action for forfeiture of the $33,000, filing a summons and complaint on August 17, 2007. A deputy from the Cass County Sheriffs Office executed a Sheriffs Return, indicating the summons and complaint had been served upon Tran’s brother, who lived…